Chairman Miller Announces Plans to Examine How Arts and Music Benefits the Economy and Education

Chairman Miller Announces Plans to Examine How Arts and Music Benefits the Economy and Education
Arts organizations generate $166 billion and over 5 million jobs each year
February 5, 2009 4:49 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the arts and music among the many industries being hit hard in economic downturn, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today announced plans to hold a series of hearings this Spring to examine how the arts benefit the nation’s economy and schools – and what can be done to improve support for the arts and music fields.
“Like so many other sectors of our economy, the arts and music are suffering greatly – hurting millions of workers and families who depend on these industries for good jobs and the students who benefit from participation in arts and music education in school. Research shows that when students are exposed to arts and music, they perform better in other subjects,” said Miller. “In states and communities around the country, like my home state of California, these industries are vital engines for local economies – making up a large share of revenue and providing employment for a wide array of jobs, from construction to musicians to art teachers to sound editors.”

“President Obama has made it clear that arts and music have a critical role to play in improving our schools, our workforce and our overall quality of life. These hearings will give Congress the opportunity to hear from experts in these fields about how supporting the arts and music can help us build a stronger America.”

Arts organizations generate $166.2 billion in economic activity, support 5.7 million jobs, and return nearly $30 billion in revenue to the government each year, according to a 2007 study by The Americans for the Arts.

Recent news reports have highlighted the tough economic realities arts organizations are facing – many are cutting budgets and programs that provide important services to local communities. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment in certain arts fields was far higher than the overall workforce in 2008.

The goal of the House Education and Labor Committee in the 111th Congress is to rebuild and strengthen America’s middle class by improving the lives of students, workers and families. For more information on the committee’s work, click here.



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RIver City Brass Band

Brass Band fighting to play on
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
By Andrew Druckenbrod, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The River City Brass Band has postponed rehearsals this week, but officials hold out hope that the next set of concerts -- and the band itself -- will continue.

"I think that we will have a clearer picture of the future in a week," said executive director Robert Parkinson. "We have been working on this since our December board meeting and staff, musicians and board members are working as hard as they can to find solutions. There are a series of events that we have to work through: agreement on expense cuts, raise the immediate cash and implement the long-term plan. The foundations have been fabulous, but they are strapped."

Later this week the band is looking to hear responses from foundations to its request for immediate funds. The River City Brass Band, which formed in 1981, is also talking to the musicians union about restructuring the collective bargaining agreement, which is due to expire in June. The 28 musicians are paid "per service"; many also teach or play in other groups.

The staff, which is salaried, has already been asked to take "painful cuts," Parkinson said. If the band gets the necessary funds in time to squeeze in the "requisite number" of rehearsals next week -- four plus a dress rehearsal Feb. 26 in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Homewood -- then it will proceed with a series of concerts, "American Graffiti," beginning March 1. That concert takes place at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center in Johnstown, with concerts to follow throughout the region.

For more details, read tomorrow's Post-Gazette.
Classical music critic Andrew Druckenbrod can be reached at adruckenbrod@post-gazette.com. He blogs at Classical Musings at www.post-gazette.com.
First published on February 17, 2009 at 6:32 pm