SUPPORT ARTS FUNDING

If you care about this, and you haven't already done so, go to Americans for the Arts Action Center to voice your support for the inclusion of funding for arts and arts education in the economic stimulus bill. It's a quick and easy way to generate a letter to your elected officials to remind them that ARTS = JOBS:

There are approximately 100,000 nonprofit arts organizations, which spend $63.1 billion annually. Without an economic stimulus for the nonprofit arts industry, experts expect about 10% of these organizations (ranging from large arts institutions like museums and orchestras to small community-based organizations in suburban, urban and rural areas) to shut their doors in 2009 - a loss of 260,000 jobs.

According to the Americans for the Arts, a $50 million investment to the National Endowment for the Arts will provide critical funding to save 14,422 jobs from being lost in the U.S. economy. This is based on the ability of the NEA to leverage $7 in additional support through local, state and private donations, for every $1 in NEA support.

In a report released in mid-January, the National Governor's Association stated, "Arts and culture are important to state economies. Arts and culture-related industries, also known as "creative industries," provide direct economic benefits to states and communities: They create jobs, attract investments, generate tax revenues, and stimulate local economies through tourism and consumer purchases."

THIS JUST IN

I'm now the proud father of TWO beautiful girls... Elise Lily Tiner was born yesterday at 8:08 am. 8lbs 12oz, 19 3/4". Perfectly healthy and content. Mama is doing fine, we couldn't be happier. Thanks to all who've been sending good wishes!