KICKSTART MY ART

ITEM [via Warren Ellis]: As of 2012, Kickstarter has generated and distributed more funding for art projects than the US Govt. 

So says this fascinating infographic from Fast Company:








(There's more of that here.)

Admittedly, as Ellis notes, the fact that an internet-based commerce facilitator can move more money than a govt arts grant system shouldn't surprise anyone. But more to the point, it does get me wondering if something like Kickstarter could eventually make something like the NEA unnecessary. 

A number of people (by which I mean, “Republicans”) have bitched for years about tax dollars funding art and non-commercial content (especially when it’s “liberally biased”, which is EVEN WORSE), which is why they’re forever proposing to cut off the NEA and the Corporation For Public Broadcasting because hey, you can't have govt-funded Big Bird AND a balanced budget, especially if Big Bird goes around indoctrinating kids with left-wing ideology. The arguments have mostly been nonsense, if only because dropping the NEA and CPB would slash federal spending by something like 0.005%. As far as I’m concerned, if those are yr targets to cut the deficit, you are not serious about cutting the deficit.

On the other hand, suppose the CPB turned to Kickstarter instead? How much could they raise to keep going? More than their current budget? Could they do that on an annual basis? Could PBS affiliate stations do it? Think about how many people blasted Mitt Romney for his Big Bird comment (at least 47% of the nation, by some estimates). How many of them would be willing to pony up online to keep Sesame Street on the air?

I’m not arguing that the NEA and CPB should go. I’m a big believer in tax dollars supporting non-commercial arts and programs, because I don't believe either should be defined (or created) purely in terms of commercial success, and that is in the public interest to have art for art’s sake.

But if we reach a point where the next Republican administration finally gives Newt Gingrich his wish, it’s possible that Kickstarter and similar crowdsourced-funding initiatives could take over – and possibly do it even better.

I don't know how plausible that is. But it’s always good to have a Plan B.

Send in yr dollars,

This is dF

dEFROG ON 45 #53: THE HOTTEST SPOT NORTH OF HAVANA

When it comes to a series like this, I’ve already demonstrated that least three categories of music will inevitably appear: (1) disco, (2) one-hit wonders and (3) ABBA. 

There is a fourth category that hasn’t come up yet. Until now.

I am talking about Barry Manilow.

Yes.

As bedsitter23  has testified elsewhere, Barry Manilow was ubiquitous and practically inescapable in the 70s. Love him or hate him, you couldn’t help hearing his music (and I’m not even counting his TV commercial jingle work).

As cheesy and melodramatic as his songs could be, there’s little doubt Barry understood songcraft and melody better than most people. He knew what buttons to push, and he had the musical talent and showmanship to push them.

It’s also worth mentioning that I was in elementary school when he first started having hit songs. Which explains why this is in my 45 collection:

I could blame that on my sister, of course, as I’m pretty sure it’s actually her copy. 

However, the blame for this one lies squarely on me:

Still, c’mon, it’s an exciting story. It’s been made into a movie and everything. STARRING BARRY MANILOW.

And like I say, Manilow was ubiquitous. You couldn’t not have one of his 45s (if you were in elementary school, anyway … or a housewife … or … well, I should probably stop there).

Anyway, needless to say, I don’t really listen to Barry these days. But he still gets respect. He’s been playing sold-out shows in Vegas, which is arguably where he’s always belonged, and he’s on tour this year. Good for him. 

Who shot who,

This is dF