The recession hit everybody hard, but it's been devastating for the arts. Tumbling stock values and bankruptcies took a huge bite out of corporate donations. At the same time, public funding fell victim to budget deficits. A small portion of the $700 billion federal stimulus package will go to the arts, but it's not nearly enough to fill the gap. In an era when everyone is cutting back, why should the arts get a piece of a shrinking pie? "Artful Investment" is a three part series that explores arts funding in this time of recession.
Reported by Marcie Sillman. Edited by Jim Gates.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Washington's 2009 legislative session had to slash $9 billion from the state budget and everyone felt the pain: from public schools, to health care, to the arts. In these tough tim... More » 
Private Dollars for the Public Good
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Florence had its Medicis. Seattle has its Wrights. For more than 50 years, Virginia and Bagley Wright have invested their time and their money in Seattle's arts community. In fact, m... More »
Why Art?
Friday, June 19, 2009
If you ask advocates why our tax dollars should go to the arts, they'll give you a list of reasons — and they're all about money. The arts create jobs. They bring tourists into... More »
Thank Yous
Many thanks to the dozens of Seattle artists and arts administrators I've talked "money" with over the years. From issues of affordable studio and rehearsal space, to questions of endowment, they've shared with me the challenges they face to make their art. You all are a true inspiration.
I'd also like to thank Virginia and Bagley Wright for making time to speak to me. Thanks to Cara Egan at Seattle Art Museum for rounding up many of the images you find on our Website. Steve Sneed and John Merner at Seattle Center put me in touch with Stephanie DeLeon, who shared her painful and moving story with me. Thanks to all three of you.
Carmen Santos crafted a beautiful Website, once again. And finally, editor Jim Gates provided a patient and discerning ear during the reporting and writing process. A great editor makes our work shine.
"Magic," by Bill Frisell and the Intercontinentals, is the tune you hear in all three stories.
