Opportunity Many of you have heard me talk about the importance of establishing the value of the arts to community and family life. This morning I'd like to extend some of those ideas, because I believe there is an important window of opportunity. And, if we can establish the value of the arts and posit a clear and important function for art in civil society, then we can move through that window to strengthen the arts and enhance the lives of communities, families, and our young citizens. Now, times are good for the arts.
Funding is up.
Between 1998 and 1999, overall charitable giving increased by more than nine percent and giving by corporations was up by more than 14 percent. But, that change, although positive, lagged behind percentage increases in gifts to environmental organizations, international affairs, religious congregations and denominations, health care, and education organizations. So, the arts are doing well, but there's just a little crack in the wall. A little leak in the dike. Gifts to the arts are not keeping pace with giving to other sectors, those that may, in some minds, possess a more obvious claim on the philanthropic wallet.