This Item In Trump’s Ed Budget Is A Sucker Punch To Nonprofit Performing Arts Orgs

Adaptistration Guy Trump Bird

Among the more beneficial student aid programs, one that flies under the radar is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The program cancels outstanding student debt for those who work for the government or nonprofits if they have been making on-time payments for 10 years. President Trump’s proposed budget wants to eliminate the program entirely. This decision would impact both key stakeholders throughout the nonprofit performing arts field: arts administrators …

Read more

Trump On The Arts & Humanities: You’re Nothing But Waste

Adaptistration Guy Trump Bird

Happy Inauguration Day. Well, not really since it turns out the new President has adopted a position that the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities are a waste and has recommended both departments be eliminated in 2017. According to an article by Alexander Bolton in the 1/19/2017 edition of The Hill, the incoming President is planning to propose a budget that eliminates the National Endowment for …

Read more

It’s Time To Get Political

Now that the national election appears to be on in earnest, it’s time for arts advocacy groups and arts supporters to begin holding elected officials accountable for their position on the arts and arts funding. It’s no secret where the current administration stands on the arts: with its figurative shoe planted on its throat. Consequently, that choice should be self-evident. But there are plenty of other political races to watch, such …

Read more

LA Musicians Get Political

While it isn’t unusual for national unions to endorse presidential candidates (the American Federation of Musicians endorsed Hilary Clinton in 2016), it isn’t common to see AFM Locals to endorse a candidate. The 2/12/2020 edition of Variety published an article by Chris Willman that reports AFM Local 47, which represents Los Angeles area musicians including those from the LA Philharmonic, endorsed Bernie Sanders for president. In making the announcement, the union…acknowledged that …

Read more

What Good Is Cultural Diplomacy If We’re Willing To Target Culture?

Adaptistration Guy Trump Bird

There’s an excellent commentary article by Philip Kennicott in the 1/6/2020 edition of the Washington Post that examines the unrest following statements from President Trump about his intent to order the US Armed Forces to attack cultural sites inside Iran should tensions continue to escalate. While there are no shortage of commentary decrying the position, Kennicott does an excellent job providing broader historic context and trends inside the US military and …

Read more