It may not be a problem to you, but it will be

On March 11, 2011, Stephanie Harris-Smith of the Hope Star (Hope, Arkansas) wrote a compelling story on the NEA's $155 million budget cut and its effect on after school programs. The title of this blog is a quote from Eighth Judicial District North-Circuit Judge Randy Wright. Wright said students that would most likely be alone until parents come home from work are involved in cultural and artistic projects they enjoy. Wright said the highest percentage of juvenile crimes are committed between the hours of 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. These comments were made after he learned that a grant known as the 21st CCLC which funds a major portion of Hope's very successful after school program is being cut by $600,000 in 2011. The cuts would totally end the program as it is now operated 48 weeks of the year. Program director, Repha Buckman said if the cuts are made, the program may have to be only two months out of the year with limited resources.
(Above:Members of the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council’s successful Drum Ballet are part of an after school program conducted by the Arts Council which is in jeopardy because of federal funding cuts.)

The NEA budget cut will affect the entire country, even small cities like Hope According to 2008 United States Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city was 10,378. The discourse on this budget cut now extends beyond the questions, "Do Americans need the arts? Do Americans appreciate the arts?" The budget cut affects the safety and development of children. These after school programs keep children off the street and away from empty homes during a time period where the highest percentage of juvenile crimes are committed. Politicians, parents, and educators need to make the case for children, if not anyone else, in this battle for NEA funding. People in support of the budget cut will feel the effects of the budget when juvenile crimes are on the rise. It may not be a problem to them, but it will be.

Source: http://www.hopestar.com/features/x1777803955/After-school-arts-program-in-danger