Why Do We Support Public Funding for the Arts?

This proclamation comes from the Atlanta Arts Accords, June 7, 1999. It was created by an extraordinary group of leaders came together in Atlanta, Georgia to say something important about the role of the arts in our communities.

“We recognize that the goal of public support for the arts at the federal, state and local levels is to enable every individual to participate in the arts as a creator, performer or attendee.

“We further recognize that:

Public support enables more people to participate in and experience art of higher quality;

Public support expands access to the arts for people whose opportunities to participate are otherwise restricted by geographic, socio-economic, educational or other barriers;

Public support of the arts empowers people to participate effectively in a democratic society by developing skills of perception, reflection, interpretation and communication, which promote understanding of diverse and cross-cultural values;

Public support of the arts enhances the unique contributions of artists to the well-being of the nation’s social, political, cultural and economic life;

Public support of the arts helps build a sense of national, state and community identity by preserving and nurturing our common cultural heritage;

Public support for the arts enriches the quality of individual, family and community life;

Public support for lifelong education in the arts empowers people of all ages to develop their creativity in school, at home and in the workplace;

Public support for prevention and intervention programs centered on art, recreation and education proves successful at reducing juvenile crime and enhancing academic performance among youth at risk;

Public support for the arts enhances community development, promotes cultural planning, stimulates business development, spurs urban renewal, attracts new businesses, and improves the overall quality of life in our cities and towns; and

Public support of cultural tourism is increasingly playing a critical role both in the economic surge of the travel and tourism industry as well as in community revitalization.”

Participating groups included:

U.S. Conference of Mayors
National Governors’ Association
National League of Cities
National Association of Counties
National Conference of State Legislators
Congressional Arts Caucus
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
National Endowment for the Arts
Americans for the Arts