An Artistic Bailout

In this time of economic crisis, the government is dealing out money left and right. Obviously the Obama administration is simply attempting to clean up the financial mess left by its predecessor; but ever since Bush proposed his late-term $700 billion plan, everyone has been looking for a handout. The auto industry, which received billions in bailout money, is now pleading for more. Moreover, there are presently pending plans, aiming to help banks, homeowners, etc., that total nearly a trillion dollars. While so many industries crucial to the American economy are failing, the 'arts' is the last place the government should consider investing in,... right?
Wrong, but that is an easy oversight to make at first glance. Even certain members of congress have been unable to see how the $50 million stimulus bill for the National Endowment for the Arts could benefit the U.S. economy in its current state. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) argued that the money being offered with this bill would be put to better use if it went towards the funding of a road project. He suggests that such a project would create more job opportunities for average middle class workers who are currently struggling. Although, what Jack fails to realize is that the arts industry employs at least 3 million workers in non-artistic jobs, such as: accountants, carpenters, electricians, janitors, publicists, etc..
Christopher Knight, of the Los Angeles Times, pinpointed the reason why people like Kingston have a misconception about the arts industry, in his argument "Arts Jobs are Real Jobs". He explained that the celebrity culture of the arts industry has created the distorted perception that everyone in the biz is a glamorous artist. "Celebrity culture teaches us to equate the arts with fame, fame with success, success with money.", Knight suggested. The truth is there are plenty of job opportunities for working class citizens in the arts industry, even during a crisis.
$50 million for the NEA would be money well invested, but the NEA should be required to outline their plans on how to use the money to help the economy; as should all recipients of such packages. Greed exists even in times of need. Agence France-Presse exposed this sad truth in its article "Merrill Bonuses Made 696 Millionaires: Probe". Sometimes when company heads actually receive the help (millions or billions of government dollars) that their businesses need, they become sidetracked...and begin to weigh their options: distribute funds to employees according to need and thereby help to stimulate the economy, or enable rich board members and close executives to purchase new jets (decisions, decisions). Merrill Lynch and Bank of America are appropriately being investigated now by the New York state Attorney General's office, but now is too late. Conditions must be dictated before money is dispensed, because a rushed reaction to recession will only dig a deeper debt.
The request made by Grammy academy President, Neil Portnow, for a new cabinet position dedicated to the arts and culture, may have been too far fetched, but President Obama's proposal of $50 million for the arts should do the trick for the time being.