Response to Governor Bobby Jindal's Remarks on Arts Funding

By Sandra Gibson, CEO and President of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters

"We agree with Governor Jindal – we don't care what party you belong to you if you have good ideas to make life better for people and that the strength of America is found in the compassionate hearts and enterprising spirit of our citizens. That is why we believe the $50 million allocated for the arts in the stimulus package was a fiscally 'responsible' decision. Every community the performing arts presenting industry represents across the country equates to jobs, jobs and more jobs.

"Allow us to remind you, Governor Jindal, that the performing arts presenting industry is a field that directly and indirectly supports more than 900,000 jobs, including artists and those who help manage and present them, and many more in services related to performing arts events such as hotels, restaurants, transportation, and parking. The American performing arts presenting industry has combined annual expenditures in excess of $9.8 billion.

"And in your home state of Louisiana, we are proud to represent the 21,000+ artists who perform in our academic institutions, performing arts centers, theatres and stadiums. Our industry builds more than just an economic and cultural infrastructure for communities across America. We provide services that reach deeply into these communities – including young and old, the underserved, and the disenfranchised. We help to capture the enterprising spirit of our citizens and work towards building an innovative workforce that will allow us to stay competitive globally."

– Sandra Gibson, CEO and President, Association of Performing Arts Presenters

Media Contact: Leah Frelinghuysen (202) 212-6875