Turnaround Arts Program
First Lady Michelle Obama and the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities hosted the first White House Talent Show last Tuesday featuring acts from the Turnaround Arts program.  The Committee created the experimental program two years ago in an attempt to test the theory that arts education can lead to more positive student outcomes and create better learning environments.  The early results have proved very encouraging and the committee announced it is quadrupling the program, adding districts in California, Illinois, and Minnesota to the already existing districts of Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Louisiana, Oregon, Montana, Colorado, and Washington DC.  Based on my experience, I am not the least bit surprised that this program is showing great results.  Music is a fantastic unifier for people of all ages and backgrounds and played an instrumental (pun intended) role in my success in middle school and high school.

The Portland Arts Tax
On November 6, 2012, Oregon voters in Portland passed the Arts Education and Access Income Tax (dubbed “Arts Tax”).  The income tax became effective for the 2013 tax year and helps fund Portland school teachers and art non-profit organizations in Portland.  All residents above the poverty line are required to pay a yearly $35 fee.  In 2013, this tax saved or added over 65 teacher jobs from the $14 million that has been collected so far.  The money goes to provide one elementary school teacher for every 500 students for art, music, and sometimes dance classes. However, less than half of Portland residents have actually paid the tax and the city of Portland is currently struggling how to collect the remaining fees.  One suggestion I haven’t seen in the news yet would be to raise awareness about the tax from the school level.  Send letters home about what the elementary students are learning from the classes and remind parents of the importance of the task.  Organize concerts (or talent shows) that are open to the public that advertise that this is “made possible by the Arts Tax.”  If the community sees the direct impact of the tax and is aware of its benefits, people will not only remember to pay the tax come tax season, but will want to pay it.

Summer Music Festivals
If you want to take a break from the classical genre, Huffington Post reviewed a selection of 13 up and coming summer musical festivals.  I have heard very positive reviews of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (can’t beat the views from Telluride) and if you are a “Dead Head,” Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, CT comes highly recommended from a few of my high school friends.  For a full list of the festivals, click here.

Classically Cannabis
In an effort to usher in new supporters, the Colorado Symphony invited patrons to BYOP (“Bring Your Own Pot”) to last Friday’s fundraiser.  The fundraiser was an invite-only event in order to comply with Colorado’s marijuana regulations.  After charging $100 a ticket, the symphony successfully raised over $50,000 in one night.  They have two more marijuana friendly fundraisers planned within the next few months.  As they say in Die Fledermaus, “chacun a son gout” (everyone to his taste).