The Observer, October 20, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 8
Arts and Culture Day raises awareness of election issues
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In support of Issue 18, the front lawn of Severance Hall was covered in banners and stilt walkers as the Arts and Culture Action Committee held a rally on Wednesday.
Speakers at the event included Democratic State Senator Eric Fingerhut; Patricia Horvath, the CEO of HealthSpace Cleveland; and Mark Allen Gordon, Associate Director of the MFA Program at Case and Cleveland Playhouse.
Although the sky was overcast, the speakers kept the crowd cheerful.
"Just give me a minute," said Gordon before pulling out and lighting a cigarette before beginning his speech, drawing laughter from supporters.
Speakers focused on door-to-door campaigning. "We need to communicate aggressively to our friends and neighbors," said Fingerhut. "We need to reach every corner of Cuyahoga County to be victorious."
Issue 18 is a proposed 10-year tax of 1.5 cents per cigarette (30 cents a pack) sold in Cuyahoga County.
Money collected from the tax would be used to make grants to support operating or capital expenses of arts or cultural organizations in Cuyahoga County, defray the costs of acquiring, constructing, equipping, furnishing, improving, enlarging, renovating, remodeling, or maintaining an artistic or cultural facility, and meet the operating expenses of the district.
The rally also lauded the economic and educational benefits of arts and cultural programs.
According to the Arts and Culture Action Committee, arts and culture organizations are responsible for 3000 non-profit and 7000 for-profit jobs in the Cleveland area, and invest over $14 million a year into education and outreach programs.
The Arts and Culture Action Committee has focused attention on conveying that Issue 18 is a cigarette tax. Printed on campaign signs is the slogan, "It's NOT a property tax."
In November 2004, Issue 31, a similar referendum financed by a property tax instead of cigarette tax, was voted down in Cuyahoga County.
"I think the potential the arts have to educate and sort of enliven and improve a community is something our society is losing," said Brittany Janis, a volunteer for the rally and student at Case.
The rally at Severance Hall was part of Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture Day. Other events included free admission to the Barcelona exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art, free admission to the Western Reserve Historical Society, discounted admission to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and a performance by the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra.
After the speeches, Gordon talked to volunteers on the steps of Severance Hall. "If a child walks into our box office, I'm going to let them in. How much longer can we do that?"
When asked why the arts are important Gordon said, "We know the arts teach civility."
