Major Hurdle for OC's arts: Antipathy toward government funding

Orange County's historic antipathy toward government funding for the arts must change.

Right now the burden of supporting the arts has fallen on the shoulders of a small community of people who believe that arts and culture are important to a civilized society and to a creative and productive workforce.

But everyone who lives in Orange County has a vested interest in that, and studies have demonstrated again and again that a modest investment of government funding not only ensures that all residents contribute a fair share and receive in return greater access to the arts; it actually generates more than it costs in economic impact and tax revenue.

In other words, it’s not a handout – it more than pays for itself.