NCHAWS - the National Campaign to Hire Artists to Work in Schools and Communities is a concerted 50-state effort to promote the use of federal funds to employ artists in public schools and community organizations side by side with teachers and other professionals. As President Obama seeks a potent formula to stimulate the economy, artists and community arts organizations represent a cost-effective investment, bringing talent, commitment and energy to the noble tasks articulated in his inaugural speech:
“to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God -given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
The National Campaign draws on the historical precedents of Roosevelt's WPA jobs program of the 1930's and the national CETA Arts Program of the 1970's. When government sought to address these earlier economic upheavals, artists working in community were ready to put “shovels to the ground,” inspiring students to delight in learning, helping community members express identity, build community life and create sustainable jobs, bringing diverse community members onto collaborative common ground.
Today, artists can help to design and animate elements of community infrastructure such as parks, plazas and public buildings; offer classes, trainings and workshops; document and make creative use of community history; collaboratively create new works of public art, music, literature theater; and assist in the development of green businesses, innovation and technology.
Community artists work in America's large nonprofit independent sector, government's indispensable ally in providing critical services through childcare centers, soup kitchens, environmental and civil rights groups, hospitals, schools, prisons, cultural centers, and faith-based organizations. A public service employment program for artists can reach into the major urban centers and rural areas in all 50 states, promote local cultural activities and craft industries, invigorate educational reform, and pass the wisdom and talents of an older generation of artists to a new one eager to learn and participate in the economic revival of their home communities.
The National Campaign is asking artists, community activists, arts advocates, educators and allies in all 50 states to take part in building a broad-based constituency to promote federal support for public service jobs for artists and arts organizations as part of the national mission articulated by our new President to “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”
Join hundreds of citizens across our land and endorse our call.