Open letter to Barak Obama

I consider the arts a very important part of govermental policy. Haven't figured out who I will be supporting yet. looking at Barak Obama's site I didn't find any mention of the arts so I thought I'd ask him!



Greetings,

Congratulations on the South Carolina win! I've searched the beautiful website for an answer to my question and since it is not there I thought I send it on.

I'm a professional musician, producer and educator who tours the country performing- here's my company: http://www.tugboatmusic.com/ . I'm doing what I do these days (instead of teaching in a university) because I see a real need for live performance, especially classical music, and music education for children and families nationwide. I haven't seen a word about the arts and arts education and their importance to the well-being of our society and culture in Obama's platform. If we are discussing the survival of our way of life and a culture of change, which I do think Obama is committed to, then let's think about what the arts mean in a historical context. When we study ancient cultures - what is it that we remember about them? Often it is their achievments in the arts, literature, architecture, that we admire and remember. When we think of the recent past - say 200 years ago - there are of course political events we remember (that still effect us today) but, we also listen to great music - think of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, read great books, I could go on.(and on)! My argument is that if we only focus on the immediate problems (both economic and worldwide) without nurturing what is creative and expressive in our culture, we run the risk of losing the very center of the culture that gave rise to all the amazing innovations of the last 200 years of American history. So, although I know this is a long-winded approach to a basic question- What is Barak Obama's plan for nurturing and encouraging arts and arts education for all in America?