Comments for RE: A No Winn Situation at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 5 out of 5 comments http://www.theind.com Sun, 19 May 2013 07:43:46 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/re/10697-a-no-winn-situation#comment-26894 Gumbo, zydeco, etouffe, jazz and boudin came to pass without any assistance from taxpayers. The crass comment about folks who enjoy beer and sitcoms will surely appeal to effetes who are often charged with distributing tax dollars for "cultural development". I expect the comment will not appeal to common folk who actually represent the culture of our region, assuming that they even bother to read a tabloid of "high culture". The last thing we need is bureaucrats and their cronies deciding which artists are most worthy of a "hand up" over others.. - Dave Worley Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:25:53 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10697-a-no-winn-situation#comment-26890 I'm no expert, but, I certainly believe in the arts, AND physical education, as something everyone should have access to or involvement in from birth for reasons other than just the monetary ones. When it also contributes to the financial health of the community,...that's a nice bonus. - Dudley E. LaBauve, III Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:27:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10697-a-no-winn-situation#comment-26882 I'm sure the benefits extend beyond hotel and tax revenue and reach into other aspects of the tourism trade and go so far as to benefit our area in future business. If people come for the festival, they may stay for education and business potential. I'd rather pay for festival and cultural "futherment" (Not a word), than some of the other programs we pay for that turn out to be a waste of time and money. After all people aren't coming here cause our cops are busting a lot of hookers and drug dealers. And if arts make more revenue, maybe we can improve our schools. that would be super. - Krista Fontenot Thu, 14 Jun 2012 12:30:56 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10697-a-no-winn-situation#comment-26876 I suspect the return on investment comes from the urban outfits aided by the state, Eric. Unfortunately, the rural folks bear the burden of the cuts. Festival International gets $72K annually from LCG. What do you think LCG gets in return in the form of sales tax collections and hotel occupancy taxes? The study was titled "Louisiana: Where Culture Means Business." It was conducted by Mt. Auburn Associates, who were commissioned by then-Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu in 2005. It's about 190 pages long and makes a strong case for government funding of the arts. Thanks for reading my column, even if you find it dishonest. - Walter Pierce Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:17:50 +0100 http://www.theind.com/re/10697-a-no-winn-situation#comment-26875 So these small rural art programs you quote are making the state $7 for every $1 spent??? Riiiiiiight. No wonder you don't bother to name the study. Dishonest journalism IMO. - Eric Yongue Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:03:03 +0100