What if the arts disappeared?

Last month our family went to Houston to watch our 9-year-old daughter perform in ?a dance competition. A few weeks later, ?Hillary competed again right here in Baton Rouge at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Dancers from schools all over the state were not only artistically expressive, they were truly entertaining.

As I watched hundreds of young ladies and some boys dance with passion, enthusiasm, ?concentration and discipline, I thought about ?the value of this experience in their lives.

Earlier that week I had been asked to assist with the Community Fund for the Arts annual fundraising campaign. The chairwoman is a friend, Dede Ferrera, whose girls dance at the same school as Hillary—so of course I said yes.

I soon started thinking about the reality and perception of arts and culture in our community. I wonder what people would do if the arts simply disappeared?

I know for sure that we would lose our young people, more of whom would leave as soon as they could in search of more enriching lives, and they’d be taking our city’s bright future with them.

Arts organizations in Baton Rouge provide learning experiences to more than 200,000 children. The lessons students learn through studying and participating in the arts amounts to so much more than just learning how to dance, paint, sing or play music. The arts teach discipline, problem-solving, concentration … a nearly endless variety of educational benefits. One study by the University of California even found that students with high arts involvement performed better on standardized achievement tests than students with less arts involvement.

Another great benefit of the arts is they build social connections and civic engagement. There’s plenty of research that clearly links the quality of a community’s social bonds and its economic health. From parent-and-child art classes to parades and festivals, citizens cultivate their relationships with each other through shared experiences. The bottom line is we need to protect, support and grow our arts if we are going to flourish as a community. The arts are not only an integral part of our local and state economy, but they give energy and vibrancy to our community. If our city is going to realize its full potential as a major regional hub for commerce and industry, we need to ensure that the cultural fabric of the community remains strong. The arts aren’t only a vibrant part of efforts to revitalize downtown and other neighborhoods, but they also strengthen the community, build strong families and provide meaningful leisure activities for seniors, visitors and the adult general public.

Over the last year our city has been fortunate to host nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, and strong attendance demonstrated an appreciation for quality arts programming. Your support of the Community Fund for the Arts has made possible such programs as the Rodin exhibit, performer Chris Botti, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Chuck Close exhibition, the Martha Graham Dance Company and many others. All of these programs enhance the value of our city as a destination and as a desirable community for corporate relocation.

I know we’re going through an economic season when many people are tightening their belts, but we need to continue to be generous and sow seeds for the future. No organization or company survives solely by what comes in. What goes out matters too. I encourage and challenge you to give to the Community Fund for the Arts. Your contribution allows CFA to support arts organizations and local artists and to keep our important artistic heritage alive!

To make a donation, learn more or get specific information, call 334-8558 or visit brcfa.org.

Louisiana’s Grammy cameo

Louisiana recording artists have a knack for winning Grammy Awards. It seems like every year our musically rich culture produces another great record, another great performance, and another batch of Grammys. Rather than settle for television coverage of the music industry’s biggest event of the year, 225 sent entertainment editor Jeff Roedel to Los Angeles this year. He mixed and mingled with Baton Rouge economic development execs, musicians and industry pioneers. In this issue on page 30 you’ll find Jeff’s inside report on how Louisiana in general—and Baton Rouge in particular—are  making the most of our unmatched music industry, and be sure to read more about our award-winning musicians here.

April musical showers

If March is famous for college basketball madness, then April belongs to music in Louisiana. Specifically, music festivals: the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Lafayette’s Festival International, and Baton Rouge’s own Blues Week. Where else in America will you find literally hundreds of bands, artists and performers entertaining crowds of thousands sprawled on blankets in the spring sunshine, or dancing in carefree throngs? Plus, don’t forget the Sunday in the Park concert series. If it’s been a while since you slipped on your sandals and went fest-hopping, now’s the best time ever to get musical. From giants like Neil Young, Bonnie Raitt and the Dave Matthews Band, to Louisiana’s own Tabby Thomas, Henry Gray and Dr. John, there’s music for every taste. Check out our previews here and here.