Louisiana - A Community for Artists and Art Lovers
Posted on 02. Jun, 2009 by Janet Bruno-Small in Mon Coeur Artist Blog
Louisiana has a large community of artists and art lovers. This fact is an important reason for Louisianans to support the ARTS in our communities. We are known world wide for our beloved French Quarter with its architectural beauty, and the eclectic population it houses and draws: artists, musicians, writers, poets, dancers, art conservators, museum curators, actors, etc. and all those that appreciate these talents. Now if we look into all the communities that make up Louisiana we would find many such areas that foster the ARTS. The ARTS community helps the individual in good times and bad times. After the devastation of Katrina, we used “Art Therapy” immediately to assist our evacuated children to express their trauma they experienced in the storm. An art exhibit of these expressions was on display for many to view at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Art challenges the individual to strive for self expression and Challenges the viewers to respond.
Throughout history when the ARTS community was denied just respect and financial support of the governing class, it pointed to the gradual demise of personal freedoms for all. Let’s just say the ARTS is a luxury, how would you feel if music and art were stripped from your lives? A visit to an art gallery or museum was removed from options you and your family could choose. If the Opera, Ballet, or Symphony companies were disbanded because of lack of operating funds, would we be a better society? Music such as Jazz, Cajun, Blues, etc. were not taught in our communities or heard in public arenas, would we be better off as a society? By fostering and nurturing the ARTS Community, we directly foster our community at large. We are a composite of all our experiences. Take away the good and positive experiences that the Arts offer we are nothing but a shell of humanity. We are left with the gruesome distinction of one of the highest MURDER rates in the United States of America.
Let us speak out and protect the ARTS community funding because we are PATRONS of the ARTS.
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