I don’t generally do advocacy type things but a situation has come up here in Tulsa that has hit near and dear to our family’s heart. So I beg your pardon as I tell you about this.
On my humble blog I have reported son Logan’s performances at Tulsa’s Clark Theater. He has mainly done Improv Comedy but has also participated in some of their summer programs.
Logan and all sorts of other kids also in two age groups participate in the Clark Theater programs. Besides the Improv groups Clark puts on several productions for kids of various ages. The facility at Henthorne Park also has Heller Theater which is for adults.
Late last week though we all found out about Wide Ranging Cuts to the city supported arts programs. The Mayor faced with a 4% shortfall in the city budget is proposing to not just cut back the arts programs. He plans on eliminating them. So the parents and others associated with Clark and the other arts programs in the city are trying to figure out what to do.
The kids though, they have already started. They have a facebook page going, Save Henthorne PAC Theater, and have used their performing skills to make some videos and posters. There is also talk of meeting outside City Hall Monday at 4 PM to display their posters.
So I am not sure what the Bates family is going to do but we know somebody who has been through this before. The worlds greatest MIL, Nana, fought for funding for the arts in the schools of Antlers, Oklahoma back in 1977. She won that battle and got a plaque that she still has.
The plaque was presented to her by the Lieutenant Governor of the State, George Nigh.
So, I don’t know what we can do, but we are going to do it. Because we have Nana on our side. How can we lose? I’ll tell you one thing about Nana. You don’t want to be on her bad side. Nope, that is not a good thing.
How are the Arts doing where you live? Don’t take your government support for granted. Next time you contact your city councilperson, Mayor, Governor, legislator, or whomever let them know how much you support the arts and that you expect them to support the arts also.
If you happen to live in Tulsa check out the City Council web site. You can get on there, find out who your Council Person is and send them a polite notice on how you feel. Check out the Mayor’s web site. Politely let him know how you feel about things.
I’ll be giving updates on this situation.
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Oh, this is the pits!! Why is this always the choice of politicians??? Good for Nana and I will be holding good thoughts for all of you!! What a tragedy for the kids to lose a program like this!! Give ’em hell, Yogi!!
How very sad that the arts and/or education are always the first to be cut when politicians have to make up a deficit! Someone in the know once told me it is because those facets do not have strong lobbying groups. It is great the children have made these wonderful videos and that parents and other concerned citizens are also making their voices heard! Keep it going and keep building momentum. Good luck!
Good luck in your endeavours, the powers-that-be always “attack”
the more vulnerable be they children or pensioners. Fight the good fight Yogi, if words from someone in the UK would help you only have to ask.
OH, this cutback is not good at all! What are politicians thinking? I’m glad you have Nana on your side! I do hope everyone works together here to come up with a solution!
I hate hearing this. They always want to cut what means most to people. I hope the good guys prevail!
As the mother of two grown kids who make their living in the arts (one in music and the other in graphic design), I find this appalling. I’m glad so many people are not taking this lying down and fighting for the Arts where you live. I hope the Mayor and other government officials will reconsider their decision. Oh and good for Nana! Keep us posted on how things are going.
In almost any situation that you can name, the arts programs are the fist causality of war when funding becomes an issue. While I certainly don’t believe that the arts programs should be the untouched sacred cow of government, I do believe that a realistic evaluation of the situation and an analysis of the good that this particular program in doing should be brought to the attention of the governing officials. I seriously doubt if the mayor and city council have any idea of the benefits that this particular program is to the participants and their families. Fight the good fight. I’ll be praying for you from this end.
@Leedslass – thanks for your support. I’ll tell you what, with you and Nana the Mayor might just show up and sell popcorn at the shows.
Thanks for this. My kids attend Clark with Logan. It’s an invaluable resource for all kinds of kids. It’s made a huge difference for mine. The kids did have a rally outside City Hall yesterday, about 40 of them, because this program is a lifeline for a lot of them who can’t access arts programs in schools or through private studios.
Thanks for this. My kids attend Clark with Logan. It’s an invaluable resource for all kinds of kids. It’s made a huge difference for mine. The kids did have a rally outside City Hall yesterday, about 40 of them, because this program is a lifeline for a lot of them who can’t access arts programs in schools or through private studios.
Why is it that the arts aren’t valued in our communities? They’re always the first things cut when the budget needs downsized. I think with Sweetie and Nana on the side of these theatres, the city better prepare to cut funding elsewhere. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help.