Why I Support Public Funding for the Arts

Those of you who know me know that my political persuasion is somewhere between Goldwater Conservatism and Libertarianism. The government should stick to those things that it is supposed to be good at, like building roads, sewers, and water lines and national defense. I am an anti-tax guy. So why am I an advocate of public financing for the arts?

Today the Mahoning Valley Power of the Arts initiative is having its Call to Action rally at the Butler Institute of America Art. The Ohio Revised Code provides for the establishment of Arts and Culture Districts in each of the counties. These districts are self taxing entities akin to Boardman Park, Mill Creek Metro Parks, and the county library.

They are established by the County Commissioners when presented with a governance code, and operated by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Commissioners with certain qualifications, or the operational duties can be assigned to an existing arts organization in the county so long as it meets certain criteria. It is funded by a property tax, which must be placed on the ballot and voted on by the citizens of the county. That last part??? Now you know why they have not succeeded in Ohio.

…except in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland). Cleveland attempted to form its cultural district as originally provided for in the Ohio Revised Code, funded by a property tax. When presented to the voters, it went down to a resounding defeat. Cleveland being Cleveland then went to the legislature and had a special statute designed especially for Cuyahoga County allowing these districts located in counties with a population in excess of 1.2 million to fund the district with a 1.5 cent cigarette tax. When presented to the voters, it passed overwhelmingly.  We are now asking our legislature to allow other counties in Ohio to have the same opportunity as Cuyahoga County to fund a local Culture and Arts District.

Anyone who has visited the arenas and/or Playhouse Square can see the results of the formation of CPAC, which is the name of the Cleveland Arts and Culture District. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust serves the same function, but is funded through a straight sales tax.

Here in the Mahoning Valley, we have been blessed with culture and arts venues of a caliber way beyond what you find in most United States cities. Believe it or not, people are actually moving back to the Mahoning Valley…read the news…and those I talk to are amazed what it is here and that we have been able to keep it going despite our former economic catastrophe.

I have come to the conclusion that there are some things that are for the public good that just fall out of my ideological framework. Mill Creek Park, for example, is a consumable. We use it, and there is no way it can be self sustaining. No tax…no park. Same can be said for Boardman Park and the library. These are jewels in our area that can’t exist on their own.

The same can be said for the cultural assets of our community. Everybody is proud of the DeYor Center, but it doesn’t exist on air and goodwill. The Youngstown Symphony, the Butler Art Museum, the Ballet Western Reserve, Stambaugh Auditorium, the McDonough Art Museum, the Arms Museum, the Oh Wow Children’s Center, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, the Packard Music Hall, the Oakland Theater, the Youngstown Playhouse have heretofore existed on ticket sales….like that works…and donations…but there is only so much to go around.

These Mahoning Valley Crown Jewels have survived the economic bad times when everything else was collapsing around us. Now…we have a new chance in this area, and it is high time we give these Mahoning Valley stalwarts a break. I can see no difference between supporting a local arts and culture district with a tax than I can see supporting Mill Creek Park, or Boardman Park, or the library, with public funds. These are public consumables from which our entire community benefits.

There are plenty of economic arguments that can be made as to the huge amount of economic activity cutural and arts generate.  POA has brought in the big boys from Washington to do a study which will be released this July.  It is undeniable.  The figures are staggering.  If you doubt it, look at Playhouse Square in Cleveland and the Culture District in Pittsburgh.  It is breathtaking how much business and economic activity can result.  You will learn about all of that in the future as POA trudges down the political path.

But for now, just for now, I want at least one opportunity to say that we should support efforts like this because it is the right thing to do.  Arts and Culture enrich our lives.  One of my favorite lines in Steel Magnolia's was delivered by Olympia Dukakis.  She said: "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize!"  I would add, and to appreciate the beauty of Mozart.

When you are called on to help in this effort, please respond. We have a long way to go. The payoff will be good for our arts organizations, our county, and for all of us.