National Endowments for the Arts

[CNW-400]

I once again was amazed by the Franklin & South Manchester layout in the March Model Railroader. This is truly a work of art.

I think it’s a shame tax dollars allotted to the National Endowments for the Arts are wasted by giving some clown thousands of dollars, who then wrap tattered cloth around downtown buildings or puts a crucifix in a jar of urine and calls it art (pocketing the remaining cash of course).

Wouldn’t it be great if some of that money could go to artists like George Sellios or other gifted layout builders?

Mark

[AggroJones]

That is an excellent idea. I happen to be a talented layout builder. [;)] Some of that money should go to me. Unfortunately, my work cost me hella money instead of making me money. [(-D]

[Anonymous]

Its an idiot idea.

Randy

[Jetrock]

Hey, some folks do get paid for making model railroad displays--look at the model built for the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago. The California State Railroad Museum is paying a company quite a sum to build a toy-train scale layout to display the Thomas Sefton collection. More examples exist.

As someone who has received public funding for arts events (a music festival I put on once a year), I can tell you that if you can come off as professional and know how to fill out grant paperwork, you certainly can receive public funds for your project. Grant-writing skills are an absolute must--heck, grant-writing skill is an art in itself. Some sort of art background would also be helpful.

Heck, I've actually considered doing precisely that--not necessarily on the federal level, but the local level. It wouldn't be too hard to make up a grant proposal to create a "diorama of historic relevance" which featured "electronics-based animation" and "mixed-media art pieces." One would probably have to include a certain amount of signage and such to place such a display in context for a viewer unfamiliar with the subject, but as I'm pretty well-versed on my town's railroads and history that shouldn't be too hard.

Just keep every single receipt and be sure to be able to show how the money was spent. And, odds are, such a project would become part of a public display so you might not get to KEEP that great public-funded layout, but you might be able to wrangle a stipend for its ongoing maintenance and upkeep, which is at least better than having to shell out the cash for that yourself.

[Anonymous]

Mark,

While I agree with you that the Franklin and South Manchester is something to behold, Lets not generalize the NEA as just a group that supports crazy and offensive art projects.

The NEA plays a vital role in supporting all Arts, including classical music, opera, jazz, theater, painters, sculptors and several other artists in different genres. They help to enrich the American landscape and help to define our culture. I know this all too well, as I am a professional classical musician. Public arts funding is vital in any non-profit arts organization. I am writing this not to argue with you, just to make everyone aware that 99% of the NEA money goes to good organizations to help enrich the lives of others. Unfortunately, one bad art demonstration several years ago has turned many people off on the NEA, and since then many steps have been taken to make the organization prove that this is in the best interest for his or her community. Also, several steps have been taken to change the image of the NEA.

Now back to the Franklin and South Manchester........I can look at these pictures for days!!!!

David

[Jetrock]

One thing to keep in mind about the NEA is that the United States government spends more on military bands alone than on the entire NEA budget.

While the topic was started as a joke, the concept of applying for public money to create a model railroad is, I think, a valid one--especially if your municipality has trains in its history and funds occasionally beocme available for projects that have some sort of historical significance.

[AntonioFP45]

I'm with you Jetrock.

I am a jazz/classical music fan myself but I've always had a very negative view of the NEA after the sick, vulgar projects that they supported and fought to support.

Randy, the model railroading idea is not idiotic. There are many cities and communities that have had a very rich railroading history. Building a scale replica of a town as it looked in its railroading "hey day" in the city hall, library, courthouse, or county center has merit. Before it burned down 4 years ago, the U.S Post Office in Ybor City (Tampa) had a gorgeous N scale replica of a mile long stretch of this town. I remember customers frequently complimenting this "work of art".

There is an abundance of modelers with talents that could be utilized and I believe that the Boy Scouts have a model railroading merit badge.

Writing the grant and garnering support is the challenging part. Many contorversial "artists" are tenacious and work hard to garner support with peers that think like they do. As we've all seen in the past three decades, it does pay off.

[Jetrock]

Actually you're not with me. I like sick, vulgar art and my main problem with government-funded programs is that they tend to shy away from anything controversial ever since the Robert Mapplethorpe flap, of which "**** Christ" is not his only photo. That being said, I still think that model railroads are good grant-fodder. One main challenge would be showing originality of work--you'd need to show that you are capable of scratchbuilding to a great degree, rather than relying heavily on kits, in order to accurately simulate your prototype as well as to demonstrate that it is an original work rather than something someone can buy at the hobbyshop. Tough luck RTR fans!

--Jetrock, whose last live performance included an on-stage simulated Caesarian section, by demons, of a friend in pregnant drag and the flinging of fake baby parts all over the nightclub, and whose grant proposal included video of himself firing off "Piccolo Pete" fireworks duct-taped to his nipples

[Anonymous]

I'm an artist, art teacher, model railroader. I don't like the NEA much either, but if you did away with it, the ones who would be hurt are the Saturday morning ballet classes that your little girl enjoys.

To me, model railroading (actually any kind of scale modeling) is a neat hobby, but not art. Any more than gardening or scrapbooking or cooking.

Just my two cents.

mike

[Anonymous]

On the whole, I support the NEA but I wi***hey would not support that which is clearly offensive.

[MAbruce]

My Ntrak club recently put on a two day show for a local museum. Admission was free, and over 3000 people (including a lot of kids) came to see it. The crowds were so thick at times that moving around was a challenge. You would have thought a carnival was in the museum (actually, one of the modules had a carnival theme).

If this is any indication of the public response that model railroads can have, then I think a strong argument can be made that the NEA would get a great return on any dollars invested in this hobby.

[CNW-400]

I have seen many situations where viewing a model railroad in action has brought joy and yes, even inspiration. My point isn't that we should get the government to pay for our layouts, but rather that what some accomplish in this hobby can be truly artistic.

...and David (wrxlep), I'm sure the NEA also funds other important outreaches, and my comment was not meant to be a slam on them, but as one who worked in downtown Chicago for several decades and every year saw the various plazas displaying art such as rags tied to buildings & lampposts, welded together file cabinets or an upside-down VW beetle painted lime green, I can assure you the NEA's reputation with some is based on a lot more that the one **** Christ example. I think the only joy these examples brought to people was the laughter...at the piece and the artist.

[conford]

While I'm not sure Model Railroading is an Art Form, I think it could be a suitable grant project under the right circumstances. That's because a model railroad is such a versatile learning environment. It includes physics, mechanics, woodworking, history, transportation, geography, botany, geology, painting, etc., and, yes, all in a multimedia setting! It adds up to fun, but for the purposes of a grant it has to sound educational and meet the criteria set out by the grantor. I'm not planning to pursue this any time in _this_ decade, but once I'm retired, I'm going to develop a part time educational/small business if I can. It promotes the hobby. It resonates with kids. And it could even mean I could write off part of my hobby expense. What could be better?

Remember the title of Sinetar's book: "Do what you love and the money will follow".

Good luck and do what you love!
Peter

[Anonymous]

You know, I like the grant idea. Basically you'd be earning the money rather than having it given to you (which sure doesn't work...), and share your work with many others who may not have been or will ever be exposed to it. I just joined the upstart Flatonia Railway Historical Society here in Texas, and I wonder if anyone who belongs to these kinds of clubs have had any luck writing grants to build a model railroad. Think about it, incorporating your grant request through an already existent club will probably work better than just trying to do it on your own. In our case in Flatonia, there is a caboose and a switch tower downtown and a photo pavilion on the east side of town. I'd think a club like this with already established attractions in their town might have a good chance. Ideas?

mike

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, I forgot...

When I was in art school, I was surprised too with what was art and what art has become. We always had a "senior show" that each student had to before they graduated. Well, a buddy of mine and I used to go to all of the shows just to critique the food, and I saw lots of crazy stuff, like:
several WWII helmets on the floor with a white dot painted on each one,
Play money scattered on the floor,
Pen and ink stick drawings of two of the professors having sex (this one was censored, only because it had their names under their pictures, otherwise, who knows),
a "cart" made with melted bowling trophies,
So it goes on everywhere.
Everything evolves, and sometimes it doesn't evolve so well, does it?

m