Voters Understand Arts Funding Challenges and Are Willing To Step Up
PORTLAND, Ore. – Sept. 7, 2009 – Creative Advocacy Network (CAN) released polling results today that show voter resolve to continue attending, supporting and funding the region’s arts and culture in expanded ways.
“The economic crisis helped crystallize public priorities and funding in the minds of voters, and the result is an even stronger commitment to invest in the arts and arts education,” said Jessica Jarratt, CAN executive director. “Meanwhile, we also have a more galvanized arts community.”
Overall, the poll shows a significant jump in positive public opinion and understanding of the important role and need for increased funding of arts and culture in the community
Key findings of the poll include:
Voters strongly support providing dedicated funding to support the arts in the region and are willing to pay for it. For example, more than two-thirds of voters believe that arts are a necessity, not a luxury, and 74% believe that dedicated arts funding is necessary, up 4% from 2008. And, another 70% of regional voters are willing to pay $1 more per month toward a dedicated public fund for the arts, despite widespread economic concerns.
Voters continue to attend arts and cultural events and view them as critical to the Portland Metropolitan region’s quality of life and economic well-being. For example, 51% believe that arts and culture helps fuel creativity and innovation crucial to our economy.
Voters are increasingly concerned that there will be fewer opportunities to enjoy arts and arts education in the region. For example, 71% understand that arts education in schools is being cut.
The latest poll was intended to reveal any shifts in public sentiment that may have taken place since a similar poll conducted in October 2008.
The poll, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maulin & Associates, gauged the opinions of 400 voters within the Portland Metropolitan tri-county area during May 2009, with a margin of error +/- 4.9 percent. Of the 400 voters that surveyed by phone, 150 were in Multnomah County, 125 were in Clackamas County and 125 were in Washington County.
The Portland metro area’s local arts organizations receive less than two percent of their budgets from local government sources, compared to a five percent national average, according to research by the Regional Arts & Culture Council and National Endowment for the Arts.
Read more in today’s Oregonian: http://www.oregonlive.com/art/index.ssf/2009/09/creative_advocacy_network_rele.html.
View or download ‘Polling Summary PDF‘.