Who's Influencing the NEA

Out of the $787 billion stimulus package Congress voted for $50 million has been allocated to the National Endowment for the Arts. President Obama's choice to head the NEA is Michael Dorf, a Chicago attorney who helped shaped art policy in Chicago and nationally in addition to teaching university courses on art policy and has been an early supporter of Obama's political career. Dorf also has the support of union leaders from the Screen Actors Guild, Actors Equity and the American Federation of Musicians.

I admit I do not understand why unions should be influencing the choice for NEA chairman while art and music teacher positions are being eliminated in public education from early education on up.

Of the $50 million stimulus approximately 40 percent for the arts will go to state arts agencies and the country’s six regional arts agencies, which in turn will then redistribute those allocations via their existing funding channels. It is expected that 25 percent of the funding will go toward cuts made at the state level.

Looks like art teachers for our public schools will still be looking for work.