‘Give art a chance:’ Capitol Hill concert drums up support for emerging artist grants

WASHINGTON (CN) — The austere halls of Longworth House Office Building were filled with the sound of music Wednesday afternoon as a group of Democratic lawmakers unveiled legislation they deemed a much-needed lifeline for struggling musical artists.

It was standing room only in Florida Representative Maxwell Frost's office, which was transformed into an impromptu concert venue for Orlando-based indie pop band Venture Motel.

The group — which was forced to perform inside thanks to a congressional ban on outdoor music on Capitol grounds — was in Washington to support Frost’s CREATE Art act. The bill would establish a brand-new grant system for artists hoping to make a living off their craft.

During a press conference before the concert, Frost argued that federal assistance for the arts should be a given, yet many artists, particularly Black and brown Americans, don’t have access to the resources necessary to make ends meet.

“The American government should invest in American artists,” he said.

Frost, a musician himself, was joined by Michigan Representative Dan Kildee (a drummer) and Texas Representative Greg Casar.

Casar pointed out that it wasn’t just artists but also their audiences who stood to gain from propping up the arts.

“This bill will not only be there for the artists,” he said. “It will be there for all of us.”

The Democrats framed the grants not only as a boon to artists and an incentive to create more art, but also as a cash injection into the music and media economies.

If made law, Frost’s proposed legislation would create four separate federal grants which would be open to applicants who have earned less than $50,000 from their art over the previous five years and less than $400,000 over the last two decades.

The package of grants would include a one-time award of $2,000 to support an artist for one year; a $100,000 prize to be granted for a single project over a two-year period; and a $35,000 grant for live performances.

A fourth award, known as a development fund, would provide up to $10,000 to cover artists' living and working expenses while they work on projects.

Frost’s proposed legislation commands the support of several major arts organizations, including the Recording Academy, the music industry society behind the Grammy Awards.

Todd Dupler, the Academy’s chief advocacy and public policy officer, called the legislation “an investment in the next generation of music makers and music dreamers.”

“There are so many different pathways and ways for people to build a music career today,” he said Wednesday, “but if you don’t have the resources necessary to seize those opportunities, then those opportunities are meaningless to you.”

Dupler added that the legislation comes at a crucial time when people are increasingly concerned about the effects of artificial intelligence “replacing that human element” of music.

“By reducing financial barriers and fostering equitable opportunities, this legislation not only supports artistic community but also enriches our cultural landscape,” said Lisa Hresko, general manager of the American Association of Independent Music.

The U.S. should foster a “middle class of artists” that provide cultural value while being compensated fairly for their work, she said.

“The term ‘starving’ and ‘artist’ should never be conjoined,” argued Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder of the Black Music Action Coalition, a nonprofit advocating on behalf of Black artists.

Stiggers said Frost’s legislation “speaks directly” to the work his organization is doing to ensure a guaranteed income for artists all over the country.

“Whether it’s your first time falling in love, or your first time experiencing a heartbreak … artists have written the soundtrack for our lives and scored the moments that define who we are.”

Before his band took the stage, Venture Motel keyboardist Wilson Bohman offered his own words of support for the bill.

“Music brings people together,” he said, “and in a nation and a world where people are so divided confused and hateful towards others and themselves, the power of music is needed now more than ever.”

Bohman pointed out that, without assistance, many independent musicians may never get the chance to spread their talent and passion because of “financial struggles or inability to commit their lives to what they love.”

“The arts are commonly pushed aside as unnecessary or unimportant to the greater good of mankind,” he said, “but I would say it’s quite the opposite. What is more influential than music? Give art a chance and it will change the world.”

Follow @BenjaminSWeiss

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