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Citizens United v. F.E.C. (Part 4): Kennedy's and O'Connor's Basic Approaches to Constitutional Decisionmaking – Top Down and Bottom Up
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Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
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'Tecmo Bowl' recreation of Super Bowl XLIV
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Do IT this week: Layering
Citizens can complain to Congress about cuts
By Dorothy Shinn
Beacon Journal art and architecture critic
Published on Thursday, Feb 07, 2008
What he gives with one hand, he takes away with the other, or so it may seem to the national arts community after listening to President Bush's State of the Union address, quickly followed by his 2009 budget request to Congress.
The budget request, for one thing, begins the yearly appropriations process for, among others, the nation's cultural agencies and programs, including the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, the office of Museum Services, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Department of Education's Arts in Education programs.
On the heels of signing the largest congressionally initiated funding increase for the arts in 28 years, Bush has done a complete about-face and proposed a $16.3 million cut for 2009 for the NEA — from $144.7 million to $128.4 million.
To put this in perspective, after three years of minimal, but incremental, funding growth, this new proposal utterly erases all progress.
Moreover, the 2009 budget seeks a rescission of $200 million in already-approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a trusted community resource of quality programs and educational services.
But perhaps worst of all, Bush asks nothing — not one thin dime — for the U.S. Department of Education's Arts in Education program in the 2009 budget, compared with the $35.3 million enacted
appropriations in the 2008 budget. This brings to an end his perfect record of attempting to eliminate altogether funding for this valuable program, which includes funding for model arts programs and collaborations with schools, teacher professional development and arts programs for at-risk youth.
The NEH faired better, as did the Office of Museum Services. The president asked for only a slight cut to the NEH budget, from $144.7 to $144.3 million, and asked for a funding boost of more than $8 million for the Office of Museum Services, bringing the amount of funding available for grants to almost $40 million.
Once again, the current administration fails to understand the valuable role of arts education in developing an innovative and creative society.
All is not yet lost, however. Congress has yet to vote on the appropriations. And Congress can be lobbied.
With that in mind, it's often worthwhile to remember the observations of others. My favorites: ''Art is science made clear'' — French artist/playwright Jean Cocteau; ''Art is meant to disturb, science reassures'' — French artist and inventor (with Pablo Picasso) of Cubism, Georges Braque; ''Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it'' — German poet, playwright and theatrical reformer Berthold Brecht; ''Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses — especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else'' — Leonardo da Vinci (who needs no further introduction).
If you want to become an advocate or an art activist, remember Arts Advocacy Day 2008, which is March 31 and April 1 in Washington, D.C. See http://www.artsusa.org/events/2008/aad/default.asp. If you're impatient, further action can be taken right away. Americans for the Arts has an action alert page for this issue. Go to http://www.capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=10928316&type=CO to find an ''adjustable'' letter to e-mail to your member of Congress.
FRIDAY
High School Artists — More than 100 students representing their high school arts programs at Lake, Marlington, East Canton, Perry, Louisville and Sandy Valley participate in the Stark Youth Arts Council ''Career Day'' from 8:45 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. Friday in the Education and Conference Center at Kent State University Stark Campus, 600 Frank Road N.W., Jackson Township. Organized by ArtsinStark, the event is part of an effort to connect art students to arts professionals through their Stark Youth Arts Council initiative, currently in its fifth year. Stark Youth Arts Council meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at 2nd April Gallerie, 324 Cleveland Ave. N.W., Canton. Membership is open and free; high school arts students are welcome. Information: Judi Christi, 330-453-1075, Ext. 206, or e-mail judi@artsinstark.com.
SATURDAY
Printing Tees — From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday the Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., offers a workshop series for adults and older teens that combines the creative with the practical. Andy Taray, graphic designer and co-founder of Campfire Goods, Inc. clothing company, shows how to transform your old grubby tee into a fresh, new creation. 330-376-9186, Ext. 231.
Glass your Valentine — Spots are still open for making glass heart paperweights at Akron Glass Works, 106 N. Main St., Akron's Northside District. Workshops will be held from noon to 2 p.m and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Fee is $45 per person, with $25 nonrefundable deposit to secure your reservation. To register, call Sandy between noon and 6 p.m. at 330-253-5888.
Scholastic Art — Saturday is the last day to view the exhibit of the Scholastic Art Award winners for North East Central Ohio in the Fine Arts Building at Kent State Stark Campus, 600 Frank Road N.W., Jackson Township. Gold Key winners will move on to compete at the national level in New York City.
Learn to Paint — The City of Ravenna Parks and Recreation Division from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, offers a class in basic landscape painting with instruction in application techniques, color theory and individual approach. The class will be taught by Kathy Hammonds at the RAC conference room, 530 N. Freedom St., Ravenna. Cost is $20. All materials are provided. 330-296-2864 or e-mail khammonds@ci.ravenna.oh.us.
Clock/Chocolate Day — The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval, University Circle, Cleveland, evaluates your old clocks and watches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Then you can explore the timepieces, sundials and astronomical instruments on display in the Reinberger Hall of Astronomy. The event is co-sponsored by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
Then at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, if you can still get a reservation, the museum presents ''The Natural History of Chocolate''' by Jenny Harper, senior culinary specialist for the Confections and Snacks Division of Nestle, USA. Afterwards, enjoy a seven-course meal featuring chocolate prepared by guest chefs Pamela Waterman and Bradley Schmid, owners of Duet, Fine Catered and Prepared Foods.
Admission is $6.50; $4.50, ages 7-18, college students with ID and seniors; $3.50, children 3-6. 800-317-9155 or 216-231-4600.
SUNDAY
Family Fun — The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, 8501 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, is holding ''Winter Family Fun Day'' from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 216-421-8671, Ext. 36, or e-mail mglauser@mocacleveland.org.
MONDAY
Wexner Prize — This year's Wexner Prize goes to (no surprise to anyone who's watched its programs slide from visual to mainly performing arts) cinematographer Spike Lee on Monday at an invitation-only presentation ceremony. To be invited, you must be a member of the Wexner's Donor Circles and Corporate Council patron groups. If you'd like to ''upgrade'' (the center's word) to or join one of these groups, call 614-292-0444. But if you just want to hear Lee talk, you can for $12 at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Wexner's Mershon Auditorium. Lee discusses his work and ideas with author/musician James McBride, author of the memoir, The Color of Water.
Lee's next film (currently in production) is based on McBride's acclaimed first novel, Miracle at St. Anna, a panoramic, yet intimate tale of four African-American soldiers in Italy during World War II.
WEDNESDAY
Portraits and Pilgrimage — At 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art brings the first of four noted medieval art scholars to talk at the University of Akron. All talks are free and held at the same time in the school's Folk Hall auditorium, 150 E. Exchange St. Light refreshments follow each presentation.
The first talk, Becket and Pilgrimage Badges will be given by Sarah Blick, associate professor at Kenyon College. Much like modern-day pilgrims to Graceland, visitors to pilgrimage sites throughout Europe bought small souvenir badges during the Middle Ages. These badges, ranging in size and materials, could be found in lead as well as silver and gold. Blick will focus on the badges produced to commemorate Thomas Becket, slain Dec. 29, 1170, in Canterbury Cathedral in England.
The series continues March 12 with Janet Snyder, associate professor of art history from West Virginia University, who will discuss the meaning of the column figures that stand beside the entrances to Gothic portals in France. On April 7, Kathryn Rudy, curator of manuscripts at the Royal Library at The Hague, will talk about the ways that some nuns in the 14th century used manuscripts to imagine themselves traveling to some of Christendom's holiest spots. On April 16, Vibeke Olson, assistant professor of art history at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, will speak on Pilgrims, Portals and the Promise of Salvation. 330-972-5951 or http://art.uakron.edu.
WORTH NOTING
Valentines at Akron Art Museum — You still may be able to make a reservation for a Valentine's Day dinner at Jazzman's Cafe at the Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St. The special four-course wine dinner costs $100 per person ($75 per, if you're a member), and ends with an artistic dessert. 330-376-9186, Ext. 225.
Jazz Bowl on Display — The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 E. Blvd., in memory of famed Cleveland-area artist/designer Viktor Schreckengost will display his most famous work, Jazz Bowl, free to the public during February. Schreckengost (1906-2008) was one of America's foremost industrial designers and an influential teacher of design. His career spanned the 20th century and included many designs for articles of commercial and domestic use. Eleanor Roosevelt commissioned the work in 1930 to celebrate the election of her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to a second term as governor of New York. Jazz Bowl has since become an iconic symbol of the Art Deco era in New York City and a lasting testament to Schreckengost's talents and joie de vivre.
Jewish Photo Show — The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland Photography Show, one of Northeast Ohio's largest open photo shows, will accept entries through Feb. 29 for its 38th annual contest to open May 5 at the center, 26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood. The juried exhibit is open to photographers from the area. Entry forms can be downloaded on the JCC Web site, http://www.clevejcc.org.
Dorothy Shinn writes about art and architecture for the Akron Beacon Journal. Send information to her at the Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640 or dtgshinn@neo.rr.com.
What he gives with one hand, he takes away with the other, or so it may seem to the national arts community after listening to President Bush's State of the Union address, quickly followed by his 2009 budget request to Congress.
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