Economic hurdles plague public art

[November 19, 2010]  VAIL, Colo. (AP) -- Public art remains a tough sell in towns where workers and services are being reduced -- even when the art projects were paid for in better times.

Officials in the posh mountain resort of Vail, Colo., recently decided to shell out an extra $95,000 to move a statue installation out of storage -- only after assuring residents that the money comes from a fund that can't be used for the basics.

National arts advocates say similar debates are playing out in towns rich and poor as officials mull how to maintain public art projects started when the economy was better. Public officials sometimes find it hard to direct money toward public art when it could be used for other things.

___

Online:

Americans for the Arts: http://www.americansforthearts.org/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.