Keep them playing: Stimulus money aids orchestras

[babylonsister]

Keep them playing: Stimulus money aids orchestras
By CHRISTINE SIMMONS Associated Press Writer


Jul 9th, 2009 | WASHINGTON -- Dozens of orchestras around the nation can keep playing for now, kept in tune by federal stimulus dollars aimed at saving jobs.

The League of American Orchestras said Thursday that the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded 64 orchestras one-time grants of $25,000 or $50,000 to preserve administrative and artistic jobs at risk of being eliminated amid the recession.

The money will also help save summer concerts and education programs, said the league, which is tracking the stimulus money heading to orchestras.

Earlier this week, the NEA said it is awarding grants to 113 musical groups across the country, including the orchestras, to preserve jobs. Recipients have up to one year to complete their projects and request their funds, NEA spokeswoman Victoria Hutter said

The 64 orchestras range from the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association Inc. to the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Society Inc.

more...

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/2009/07/09/D99B7VFO0_us_orchestras_stimulus/index.html

[MercutioATC]

1. I'm all for supporting the arts, but that's not really an efficient use of the money.

We need $2.1T in infrastructure spending in the next 5 years. Spend money on that.

Yes, I KNOW that this will preserve jobs...but so would buying every American a rubber chicken. Neither is a terribly efficient use of money, especially when it's money we don't have.

[babylonsister]

2. Then you're not for supporting the arts if you think this is a waste

of money. It's a one-time savior for these orchestras. I'm happy to see they got some help, as minor as it was.

[MercutioATC]

4. This is STIMULUS money. It should be used for the greatest stimulative effect.

I don't think that it is a "waste", I just don't feel that it's an appropriate use of stimulus money.

[SoCalDem]

5. But not everyone can be a "road-repairer". A job, is a job, is a job

Musician's money looks just the same as a road crew guy's money, when it's plunked down for groceries.

This is the problem with the discussion about the stimulus. "some" people are determined to judge "which" jobs are worthy and which are not.

Our economy is a circular chain, and when any links are removed, it just hangs there, limp ..

[MercutioATC]

6. By that standard, though, we should just buy every American a rubber chicken.

It would "create jobs" in the rubber chicken industry.

I'm suggesting that we should get something of tangible value in addition to the employment...like a road or a bridge...when possible.

Especially when we're spending money we don't have, I think it's to our benefit to get the biggest bang possible for the buck.

[Hannah Bell]

3. better orchestras than banksters.