New solutions to age old problems through music and art
 
Overview:
 
It is not possible to eliminate poverty without the truly massive use of culture in all its aspects. There are two main reasons for this. First, it is impossible to promote a vision of the end of poverty into all the nooks and crannies of America without the planned involvement of musicians, writers, artists, filmmakers, etc. Second, there are tens of millions of artists in America. The majority have been poor for some time but another section of them is now feeling economic insecurity. We must convince them that, based on their current or future poverty, they should contribute their creativity. This will also create new pathways to connect with every poor community in the U.S.
 
Every affiliate of PPEHRC has artists in its ranks whether or not they have stepped forward as such. Every affiliate has family, work, neighborhood, and social connections with artists as well as the ability to connect with professional and/or would-be professional artists in their city.
 
Many mainstream cultural institutions have been hit hard by the crisis. They are having more trouble getting the donations they need or, in some cases, their endowments have been devastated by the stock market crash. They are cutting back staff and programs. This creates openings for us to connect.
 
 
Proposal:
 
1. To distribute a statement about the need for artists to connect with the struggles of the poor (and to explain how those struggles will become the most important audience for artists). This statement will explicitly ask artists to commit themselves to align themselves with PPEHRC. [This statement is currently being prepared by LA and Detroit musicians and artists].
 
2. That each PPEHRC affiliate bring at least one person whose primary activity is artistic to Louisville. This could be someone from your organization and/or someone from your city's scene (possibly someone you don't even know yet but know of).
 
3. That bands and other artistic crews be encouraged to affiliate with PPEHRC. This will rapidly advance the use of culture in the struggle to end poverty.
 
4. That a cultural meeting be held in Louisville with the main purpose of making plans for integrating those artistic entities which have affiliated (or signed on to the statement) into the work of PPEHRC.
 
5. That each PPEHRC affiliate commit to reaching out to artists based on their poverty (e.g. artists being foreclosed, musicians doing health care benefits for each other).

Thanks, 
Rock A Mole Productions / Los Angeles