Terrific article Jen! 4Culture is SO needed in our community. It provides arts and heritage to us all - not just the wealthy.

Take note one correction: On www.advocate4culture.org there were more than 9 references beginning in February, to Senator Ed Murray's SB 5834 legislation to support 4Culture.

Legislators, PLEASE save 4Culture, save arts and heritage in King County!

@DKitty: Thanks for the comment. I should clarify: Nobody mentioned the senate bill on the day they both died is what I meant.

Check it out:

http://www.advocate4culture.org/2011/04/…

Check it out:

www.advocate4culture.org/2011/04/washing…

Well I can't seem to get the link to work, but check out the post on April 2nd about both bills "dying"

Fuck Olympia. Why not tax hotels in King County ourselves for the money we had been getting from the Hotel/Motel tax fund? Getting this through the County Council ought to be much easier than dealing with the Crackers in the state legislature, Chopp included. Is this possible?

Abnormal: There was a giant push to support the HB. There was no mention of the SB on that day (April 2 is AFTER the vote); nobody particularly knew it was going through the committee that day. (I have already talked to Advocate4Culture about this.) Can I ask why you are fixated on this detail? Is there a larger point? Please explain to me.

3 Cheers for Jen and 4Culture! Save 4Culture, PLEASE!!

Thanks to Jen Graves and The Stranger for being champions of 4Culture. It is an incredible agency! It is stunning that an ill-informed, anti-tax sentiment might override the voices of 1000s of citizens asking to dedicate future lodging tax revenues to support 4Culture's arts and heritage programming -- especially given that the lodging tax is NOT set to expire. This political climate makes it frustrating for ordinary citizens to understand how the legislative session works. Remember School House Rock's "I'm Just a Bill?" We need an April Fool's Day / zombie remix!

If you want to do something to help 4Culture, please join www.Advocate4Culture.org today. If you've already joined and responded to action alerts, thank you! We know that it's our collective action - plus support from leaders like Murray, Hunter, Orwall, Constantine and Chopp - keeping this "dead" bill alive.

I guarantee that if it's something Frank Chopp wants, it'll happen. If he doesn't give a shit, or worse - thinks it'll somehow affect whether he remains speaker - it won't. Simple.

@11, 4Culture is funded by King County, not the state. King County receives a credit against the state sales tax for the taxes it collects under these bills, which is why they need to be approved at the state level. Getting funding from our county government is exactly what we're trying to do.

After reading this article (go, Jen) and comments, my process of thought amends to a sociological and psychological breakdown of this pattern-like problem in funding the arts. Bottom line: Art communities don't get the sensible respect they deserve; or even more simply, they do not have equal inclusion and acknowledgment in government funding. Even the slightest case as Chopp said, Murray's bill wouldn't be passed without the inclusion of housing; because God forbid we fund the arts (too) fully. And how do we (the arts) react? As members of the art community, we are in this for reasons bolder and livelier than convenience or monetary happiness. Instead, we hold passion and intelligence for our practice and the support of artistic ideas and works. This vitality is what makes "Tomb" in light of 4Culture such a sound and authentic reaction to the shit that wont be tolerated. I initially want to say that I'm not sure or don't know how to make people care about art; but I have faith in the arts ability to overcome and work with that challenge.

thank you Jen Graves for speaking thoughtfully and truthfully. 4Culture is an incredible agency, whose work supports the dynamic work of artists & arts orgs in King County. The economic benefit from this investment pays dividends everyday. We will get this done!

Thank you Jen Graves for writing thoughtfully and with such strong support of the arts community. 4Culture is an incredible organization that funds artists & arts orgs with diligence and passion. We should have every expectation of our legislators to do the right thing for our economy (of which the arts are a major force) and pass this important piece of legislation. This is far from over.

Hey Jen. Abnormal is a leader of Advocate4Culture and I think the point to the fixation is that A4C wants Senator Murray to know that his work and his bill has been AMAZING. We don't want him to throw up his hands and think we have not noticed the leadership he has taken to support arts and heritage in King County.

It doesn’t surprise me that people in this situation lose because our politicians don’t stand behind their people and their needs and wants. It also figures that politicians wouldn’t fund programs that highlight our troubled times and areas of concern. If we- artists and activists- show the public problems that aren’t being taken care of, that jeopardizes the elected officials chances of getting elected again. It makes me so mad that politicians don’t listen to their own people and yet they spend money on loopholes and government “privileges” (i.e.: private jets, free education, and excessive salaries) instead of things like keeping music in the public schools. If they cut programs like 4culture and also cut programs that educate people about art, we will lose culture. I think the only thing that doesn’t surprise me is that our own representatives won’t call us back. But in all seriousness, how many assistants do they have? Can they not make a statement, stand behind what they believe, and have someone deliver it? They owe that to us- the people.

Reading this makes me unbelievably sad. It's already bad enough that the arts are getting cut from school programs but now there won't be any funding for the arts, period. And all because two politicians can't cooperate, as sucah14 said. What would Seattle be without its art? The arts is a huge part of the Seattle culture and without funding the arts will rapidly decline. The art community is already struggling as is with the way things are currently going, imagine how much worse it would be with a lack of funding. Hopefully 4Culture will be saved and that the legislators will do the right thing. This is the time for all of the members in the art community to band together and make their voices heard to try and get what is good for not just the art community but the greater community of King County.

Jen, thank you for being who you are. You care - and you need to know that you are not alone. The arts anemia is symptomatic to the deterioration of this society that is happening for decades. But we know that. We, artists and art loving people invest our emotions willingly, knowing that history can not be cheated, returned or fixed. The influence (or lack of) of arts on young generation will bring it home to roost. King county will just HAVE to spend more than the measly $3 million on repairs from vandalism, graffitti and juvenile detention centers. Wouldn't it be lovely to connect cultural tourism to revenues, like it is understood in many other places?

Unfortunately, I'm hearing about this for the first time, which makes me wonder how many other people who would be genuinely concerned know nothing about the fight to keep 4Culture.
It's frustrating to now know that the only thing preventing the continuation of 4Culture is the indifference of its own "sponsors".

I am very glad to have read this article.. I hadn't ever heard of 4culture. Everyone I asked did not know either, and I got to enlighten them. So, the good news is I started to spread awareness! I will certainly continue to do so. I am not really sure where to start besides just letting the right people know about it.

Unfortunately it does not surprise me that the Senate or Congress takes art funding seriously. There is a stereotype of what an artist, or art patron is here in the United Sates. They are lumped in with the rich, which is where Frank Copp’s idea of furs ultimately stems from and fuels. In reality there are patrons of the arts, who are wealthy, but willing to give to support a cause worth saving and preserving for future generations. However, 4Culture is not this. It allows new, or unconventional artist get a foot in the door for the art world with the aid of one of our city’s largest art partners. Art had the ability to transcend language and class barriers for all to enjoy, however it is when people take this for granted when complacency occurs. We assume someone else who also cares will take care of things. Thank you Jen for your moving article, I hope it helps, but we can all do our part by starting our own crusade on what we know is wrong. Do your part, save 4Culture!

Oops, I meant for it to sound like 4Culture is not a wealthy art patron. (Hope that came across). I do believe and support that it should be preserved for future generations to benefit from. Thanks again Jen for the great article!

(I had no idea how to edit my previous comment):)

This article hits close to home as I am someone who dreams of being able to teach art in the Seattle Public School District some day. If we can't even fund the arts in a general sense in Seattle what are the chances of continuing and increasing funding for the arts in public schools. In life, as in schools, funding always come first to the sports and other "important" areas (in this case, the Convention Center.)

All of that being said, I realize that I need to be more involved (even if that is just following 4Culture more closely.) I have to remind myself that I can't ignore the problem and expect change.

I heard about 4Culture for the first time when I went to their space last Thursday for artwalk. It was awesome and it makes me incredibly annoyed that it might not be around for much longer due to political technicality mumbo-jumbo. What gets me is that years down the line, when they have killed the Seattle arts scene (except for high-rolling Picasso and Impressionist exhibitions) for good, they'll be all like, Wait what happened, why don't young people want to live here anymore?? Then maybe, MAYBE, they'll throw some money to the arts and pat themselves on the back for being cool.

After reading this article & many, it only deepens my dismay about support for the arts in Seattle in general. Many people have such a false sense of what's better to support than others. For someone to state that the arts are a superfluous part of funding is not only inaccurate, but also ignorant. The arts stimulate a great return for every dollar they receive. Think of the people who go out to see art everyday, while out looking at the art they go to the nearby restaurants, stores & stimulate the economy.
It pains me to think that people opposed to these bills think the arts are receiving a type of welfare, even more that it's "undeserved". The point is that you cannot judge the importance of the arts in a community by the same standards as other parts of the economy. Art is vital to the cultivation of a well-rounded & educated person. Its a universal form of communication & important for tourists coming to Seattle because of this. 4Culture supports emerging artists like myself & local artists in Seattle in a great way. The destruction of support for this organization will lessen the voice of Seattle, & its ability to speak to tourists visiting Seattle in a universal sense.

It's always disheartening to see that the government doesn't consider the repercussions of their actions more fully. The funding gives artists more breathing room, room that allows them to speak in a better way than if they were restrained to a small budget.

I share in everyone's fears for the future of Seattle. I honestly feel that without support for the arts and cultural programs in this city - we are doomed. Don't they get that it is programs like 4Culture that spur innovation, creativity, and the spirit that makes a city a city! The arts can put a city on the map, And yes, spur the economy too. So it is a worthy investment regardless of your interests or unfounded prejudices against the art world.
This bill seems convoluted (surprise) and completely misunderstood by the public (bigger surprise). It would be really unfortunate for 4Culture to be collateral damage without given proper consideration. I'm glad this article made me and others aware of this.

Sucah? = Sucah23 Oops

sucah? = sucah23
oops

They say trends move from East to West... http://bit.ly/gJ4bm6

Like you all have said, this is deeply unfortunate. However, many of you are acting as if the arts are going to vanish from Seattle altogether, or that this is the beginning of the end.
Let's shine some light on the situation, people. The backbone of every artist has never been financial funding or political support- and it never will be. It's creativity and expression. People are going to express themselves with or without money. In fact, some of the best work comes as a result of harsh situations such a this. The community isn't going anywhere. If anything, this blow will inspire people to force future changes. For that reason alone, I'm not too worried about it. Sucks, yes, but the arts aren't dying; I have faith.

Thank you for such an informative article