Page 16 - August 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

NAPLES ART ASSOCIATION A TIME TO

ADVOCATE FOR THE ARTS
F unding for the arts is often cut or eliminated during times of economic uncertainty.
Many of us find this fact disturbing to our core. We recognize the value of arts and GOAL!
culture. We may not know the statistics, but deep in our hearts we understand that
arts promote true prosperity. $50,000
$40,000
The arts help us express our values and build bridges across cultures. The arts strengthen $30,000
the economy.The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that the arts and culture sector is $20,000
a $699 billion industry – 4.3 percent of the nation’s GDP – a larger share than transportation $10,000
or agriculture. In the beautiful Southwest Florida region, where so much of our vitality is
owed to the tourism industry, we appreciate how the arts drive tourism and are good for

local merchants. Arts have a social
impact, challenging the status quo,
reducing crime and poverty rates
and increasing social engagement.
Perhaps most importantly, the arts
spark the creativity and innovation
that are among the top five applied
skills sought by successful business
leaders. The arts drive personal,
corporate and national success.

Many local arts and cultural
organizations, including The
Naples Art Association, will see
their funding impacted by decisions
made in Tallahassee to reduce
funding to the arts.As of the writing
of this article, Congressional
representatives are meeting to discuss possible reductions or even elimination of funding
for The National Endowment for the Arts.The Naples Art Association urges you to join the
advocacy efforts and communicate with your state and national representatives to let them
know how important arts funding is to you, our community and our nation. Luckily for
all of us in Southwest Florida, The Naples Art Association has tons of great programming
on tap in the coming months including fantastic exhibitions, classes and workshops, and
the seasonal return of Art in the Park, the longest running outdoor art festival in Naples!
The Naples Art Association counts on private contributions to help keep the doors
open. Although The Naples Art Association is a sixty-year-old organization with a dogged
commitment to support the visual arts in Southwest Florida, the organization lacks
a significant endowment to help cover operating expenses. For that reason, each year an
Annual Campaign is formed and individual contributions are solicited in order to ensure
that the valuable educational and artistic services provided by the NAA remain available
and affordable to everyone in our community. Consider being part of the movement by
making a contribution of whatever amount is easy, every bit counts. Because The Naples Art
Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, donations made to the organization are tax-deductible
(not to mention great karma!). Make a donation now at NaplesArt.org.
In these trying times, when funding for arts and culture is being cut, your support means
more than ever when it comes to keeping the local Naples community vibrant and alive with
artistic opportunities.

16 Life in Naples | August • September • October 2015