Save the Arts
A proposal to zero out funding for Minnesota's State Arts Board is an unsettling idea for some.
People from all over the state showed up at the State capitol in St. Paul for Arts Advocacy Day.
Some local folks think Governor Tim Pawlenty doesn't realize how vital the arts are to Minnesota's economy and culture.
Disappointment and frustration are the are what some Albert Lea residents say they're sharing on this day.
Susanne Crane says, "From what i hear its possibly going to be cut fifty percent."
Crane says there's a need for the arts, especially in hard times. "They provide a way for us to escape from our everyday worries and allow us to connect with greater humanity and hope for a better future."
Another person agrees, adding she thinks it's a big mistake to have life without art.
Eoline Adams says, "Arts and music are a very important part of everyone's lives and we don't need to have those things cut."
Crane says the Oscar-award winning movie, "Slumdog Millionaire" is the perfect example. "I
t was done without any Hollywood might behind it, without any big stars and it really teaches us something that we might not have otherwise known, that's art." Art advocates are suggesting the funds need better focus and oversight.
Officials up at the State Capitol are dealing with a challenging budget and think cuts to the arts may be the lesser of other evils. They say their goal is to provide the best overall service to the state.
