He said funding the arts shouldn’t be a priority.
But then something happened. Kansas City Mayor Sly James responded with his own public letter, saying that art is very much a priority.
“The arts are vital to our city’s collective personality and history and we must support this industry if we wish to remain a world-class city that welcomes and encourages everyone to pursue his or her passion.”
But check this out – funding the arts isn’t just about preserving culture, it’s also an economically smart move. In 2015, Kansas City brought in $7.9 million in local revenue and $10.9 million at the state level via the arts.
“If the Governor thinks politicians are ‘addicted to spending taxpayer money’ and cites the arts as a an example of the problem – then may the taxpayers of Kansas City have that $10,900,000 back, please?” Says Mayor James in his letter.
Veto or no veto, Kansas City has committed to matching funds and making that conservatory a reality.
Art and creativity are important y’all. Insist on their proliferation, no matter what.
