Recently Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that would allow school districts to dilute art education requirements in California high schools. He made the right call: The plan was a misguided attempt to ease dropout rates. The arts don’t always make it into political campaigns, least of all for governor, but the veto shows that the subject can matter significantly.

Now, a nonpartisan coalition seeks to move the arts onto a front burner — or at least somewhere in the vicinity of the kitchen — before November’s election. Arts in the California Governor’s Race describes itself as a consortium of “nonprofit arts organizations, arts support groups, artists and concerned individual supporters of the arts [who] believe strongly in the need for meaningful public support for the arts and arts education.”

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ARTS IN THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S RACE
Questions for the Candidates

1) The arts and creative sector in California is an economic engine, accounting for almost half a million jobs, and contributing over $20 billion in total economic impact, including exports and tourism. Please describe how a Brown/Whitman administration would support the arts and creative industries of California and what departments in the state government could be leveraged to help the arts?

2) There is substantial evidence that students who take arts courses perform better academically and on a host of other markers – from classroom attendance to college track graduation. With the dropout rate reaching epidemic proportions and the achievement gap growing, do you see an increasing role for arts education in transforming our educational system? If so, what leverage would you do as Governor to drive that kind of transformation?

3) Latino and multicultural arts and culture play a central role in community development and education. Cultural traditions and creative expressions help keep families together, encourage positive behavior by our kids, and foster stronger cross cultural ties. There is a saying in Spanish – “la cultural cura” – or “healing through culture” that reinforces the idea that arts and culture is a critical part of what makes a healthy community. The cuts to arts funding over the past five years have hit the Latino and multicultural communities hard. What would you do as Governor to make California a leader in the arts and bolster support for Latino and multicultural arts and cultural expression?

4) Though California was once globally regarded as a citadel of creativity and innovation in both the for-profit entertainment industry and the non-profit arts industry, it continues to rank dead last in per capita support – beneath even Guam and Puerto Rico. How would you recognize the value of the creative sector and what support would you offer to return California to the front ranks?

5) What do you view as the role that the art and creative sectors can play in addressing California’s most pressing social issues?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 6-7:30pm

Noè Restaurant at the Omni Hotel / Cal Plaza

251 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles CA 90012

http://www.noerestaurant.com/

On Tuesday, October 12th join the Arts in the California Governors Race committee at Noè Restaurant at the Omni Hotel in Downtown LA from 6-7:30pm for a debate viewing party.  The two candidates, Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown, will be engaged in their last major debate prior to the November 4^th election.  Join other supporters of arts and culture to watch the televised debate, network and enjoy Noè’s award-winning cuisine.

The Arts in the California Governor’s Race project (ACGR) is a non-partisan effort created to ensure that issues related to the arts and the creative economy are successfully inserted into the California Governor’s race. Organized by a consortium of non-profit arts leaders, arts support groups, artists, and concerned individual supporters of the arts, the consortium participants believe strongly in the need for meaningful public support for the arts and arts education.

The debate will be broadcast on television screens within the restaurant.  This party is a fundraiser for ACGR, with $10 suggested donations and at least one beverage purchase.

The central Debate Party is hosted by

Michael Alexander, Grand Performances

Tomas Benitez, Latino Arts Network

Danielle Brazell, Arts for LA

Terence McFarland, LA Stage Alliance

Cora Mirikatani, Center for Cultural Innovation

Tara Scroggins, ACGR Satellite Chair / Emerging Arts Leaders Los Angeles

Mark Slavkin, Music Center of Los Angeles County