Despite Arts Budget Cut, NEA Calls for a Logo Redesign

The National Endowment for the Arts is seeking a new logo design for their newly defined "guiding mission" - Art Works.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Despite a newly proposed budget decrease, the National Endowment for the Arts says it will pay a hefty reward for a new logo design.

President Obama said Monday that the NEA will receive $161.3 million in his fiscal year 2011 budget, $6 million less than was first proposed. Obama also called for a $161.3 million budget last year, but Congress eventually increased it. According to the New York Times, NEA's CEO Robert L. Lynch said, “the proposal was dispiriting in light of the economic downturn, when 'support for the arts is at its lowest point in a decade.'”

Despite the less than thrilling budget news, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman announced Monday that the organization is calling upon the American public to redesign their logo - for a substantial monetary reward. Design submissions must represent the phrase Art Works, the NEA’s proclaimed “guiding mission.” The winning logo should also illustrate the three meanings of Art Works: the plays, paintings, dances, films and the other works of art that are the creation of artists; the effect of art on audiences and viewers, to transport, transform, inspire, and challenge us; and a reminder that arts workers are real workers with real jobs who are part of this country's real economy.

The artist whose design is chosen will receive a government grant of approximately $25,000. The selected logo may be used in print and online and may accompany the existing NEA logo or even replace it.

Proposals must be submitted to the NEA by 5pm EST on February 26. For submission guidelines please visit the NEA Grants website.
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Despite Arts Budget Cut, NEA Calls for a Logo Redesign

Study Shows Artists Remain Inspired Despite Recession Challenges

NEW YORK, NY — The results of an art survey, released Tuesday, indicate that despite being hit hard by the economic recession, artists remain optimistic about their importance in society. In fact, 89% of those who participated in the Artists and Economic Recession Survey believe they play a special role in helping strengthen their communities during these tough times. 75% of those polled believe that overall this is an inspiring time to be in an artistic profession.

The online survey, conducted by Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC) from July 20 to August 17, 2009, polled 5,380 American artists, designers, writers, architects and musicians of diverse ages, genders, ethnic backgrounds and geographic locations. The study sought to find out how the recession is affecting the over 2 million artists currently living and working in the United States. 

Those surveyed indicated that the worst effect of the recession is decreased sales and/or having to charge lower rates for their works. Neither of those points is really shocking, but on a positive note, many of the artists are finding personally rewarding opportunities, regardless of hardships. 40% of the artists reported being able to spend more time on their artwork and one-third are able to experiment creatively and collaborate more with others.

Following are some other notable statistics from the survey:

• two-thirds of the artists hold at least one job in addition to creating art;
• two-thirds earned salaries less than $40,000 in 2008, 51% reported a decrease in income in 2009;
• 40% said they do not have adequate health care;
• 55% have personal websites and 43% use social media to promote their works;
• 70% use the internet to conduct research and learn about other artists, while 23% sell their works online.

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Read More - Select Findings from the Artists and Economic Recession Survey | LINC
[Image: Andy Warhol, Dollar Signs (1982)]

Study Shows Artists Remain Inspired Despite Recession Challenges