Broadway Blogs - 31 States Cut 2012 Arts Budgets and More...

One of many results of the current economic malaise that's been enveloping us all is the effect on arts budgets for cash-strapped states around the country. A New York Times story on the subject reveals that 31 states have cut their arts budgets for 2012, including some, like Kansas, all the way down to zero. Other states like Texas have chopped it 50%, 23% in New Jersey and 67% in Wisconsin. 

Talking about what the NEA might be able to do (or not) to help, the article notes that "The ability of the endowment to help may be limited this year, with some members of Congress proposing to cut the agency's $155 million budget by $20 million. In response the National Endowment has been promoting the benefits of investing in culture, like the $278 billion in economic activity that federal research showed was spun off by the arts in 2009."

Simply put - there's no more urgent time to support your local arts than there is now. And if you're working in local theatres and need help getting the word out about productions - let us know @ newsdesk@broadwayworld.com. 

Two pieces worth reading over @ NY Magazine -- first an 'Unfinished Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin' and then an extensive piece by Frank Rich entitled 'Murdoch Hacked Us Too'. It's current events with a theatrical flair and both pieces are well worth reading...