Conservative Fervor Over NEA Controversy Fuels the Flames of Chicago Arts Entrepreneurship Organization

Chicago, IL, October 02, 2009 --(PR.com)-- A series of ultra-conservative articles critiquing the White House's encouragement of the National Endowment of the Arts to pursue issues-based initiatives has sparked Entrepreneur the Arts® founder Lisa Canning and her fellow creators to speak out in support of artists with agendas.

Recently, the White House Office of Public Engagement, the Corporation for National and Community Service and the NEA hosted a conference call with a select group of arts leaders, many of whom were deeply involved in the 2008 presidential campaign. The transcript of the call stirred huge controversy based on the perception that the White House was asking artists to create propaganda in support of hot button issues such as health care, education or the environment.

In a post on her Entrepreneur the Arts Blog, noted artist and entrepreneur Lisa Canning refuted these criticisms with a simple yet powerful question: "What's so wrong with having an agenda?"

"What's wrong with the arts being vehicles for additional reflection on an issue, revealing deeper meaning to key messaging and shedding a bright light on agendas?" Canning asked. "That’s not 'Partisan' or 'Socialism.' That's passion. Where is the open mindedness this country needs to utilize the power of the arts in new ways going to come from?"

Canning's organization, Entrepreneur the Arts®, is leading a national movement to innovate through artistry. These efforts will culminate in the fall 2010 launch of the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™, a fully accredited training program for artists of all disciplines. The Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™ will provide aspiring creatives the tools and methods to create sustainable businesses from their individual passions.

Entrepreneur the Arts® believes that the values inherent in great artistry, when wielded properly, are the perfect catalyst not just for individual success, but broad societal positive change.

“"The power of artistry is more than playing a pretty piece or painting a pretty picture,"” claims fellow ETA blogger David Cutler, author of the new book The Savvy Musician: Building a Career, Earning a Living, & Making a Difference. “"When artists work to solve real problems, contribute meaningful experiences, and provide true leadership, these behaviors should be celebrated.” "

Cutler, a member of the Advisory Board to the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™, and many other artists, administrators and entrepreneurs, are joining ETA's mission to make the starving artist a thing of the past and encourage you to do the same, no matter your politics.

"The agenda of innovation is a nonpartisan issue," Canning said. "There are ways to do this. Business as Art, Government as Art, University as Art. But it all starts with sharing a vision– one that will help the world find a new way to perceive and utilize the strengths of your artistic gifts."

The Entrepreneur the Arts Blog, updated daily with insights and inspiration from bloggers such as Canning and Cutler, can be found online at blog.EntrepreneurTheArts.com. More information on the Institute for Arts Entrepreneurship™ and ETA's mission can be found at www.EntrepreneurTheArts.com. David Cutler's book, The Savvy Musician: Building a Career, Earning a Living & Making a Difference, is available to order now at www.SavvyMusician.com and in stores on November 1, 2009.

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