Hollywood comes to the Hill

Actors Robert Redford and Kerry Washington and singer/songwriter John Legend testified today before the House Appropriations subcommittee on interior, environment and related agencies on the state of federal funding for the arts.



John Legend after the testimony



Robert Redford after the testimony

Leading Entertainers Fight for Art Funding

The National Endowment for the Arts testified in front of Congress today to discuss appropriations for the 2009 fiscal year. President Bush has lowered the amount given to the arts and the NEA, and supporters are lobbying for support in restoring the funding level to $176 million, a recorded high from 1992.

A panel of speakers was present including Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of American for Arts, Mayor Mufi Hannemann of Honolulu, acclaimed actress Kerry Washington, five-time Grammy winner John Legend and Academy Award-winner and activist Robert Redford. All were on hand to offer their stories and how the arts influenced them in where they are today.

Lynch pronounced at the end of his testimony that "a great nation deserves great art" while John Legend offered his musical education as a way to keep him grounded. Coming from a musical family, Legend also said that music was a way to stay away from trouble. Kerry Washington and Robert Redford spoke for an extended period of time with Robert Redford offering an account on his childhood. Redford stated that in his childhood, he was accused of being "dumb" due to his personality, but he ended up finding his calling in the arts which has led to him being one of the most prominent figures in the arts today.

Furthermore, testimony given showed the relationship of arts to the stimulation of a society and economy. Attention was also given to the furthering of arts programs nationally and internationally including reading and general education programs.