Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 44 No. 9. May 4 1981

[Introduction]

President Reagan's recent budget proposals, if passed, will threaten the existence of the arts and humanities in America. Severe cuts in cultural spending are part of Ronald Reagan's attempts to balance America's accounts by 1985. Few seem to realize the inadequacy and shortsightedness of this $150 million decision. Those who do are battling to alter Reagan's budget plans but it appears likely that it will be a lost struggle. Most Congressmen regard government aid to the arts and humanities in America as extravagant and unnecessary. As a result cultural spending is to be cut by more than half to $150 million in this month's budget.

The massive cuts will have serious repercussions. The arts and humanities will be forced to cater for an elite group in American society. Until now the spirit of the cultural allowances has enabled everyone in America to be interested in everything. If the arts allowance is reduced by more than 50% under budget director David Stockman, many of the community based programmes and rural areas will suffer. Unlike the mass audience programmes and the large institutions such as the museums, symphonies and opera companies, these smaller groups have few alternate sources of funding. The cuts will also mean few new American artists can be encouraged.