As Congress considers the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, it is right that an investment in arts and culture be included in the package.

The currently proposed $50 million designated to bolster the NEA's budget will certainly be channeled to working artists and arts organizations throughout the country. While I appreciate the heart and soul impact the arts have on me as an individual and the role they play on building the character of my community, the real power of including arts in the economic stimulus package is the number of jobs it can preserve and create nationally and in our state.

Nationally, there are approximately 100,000 nonprofit arts organizations, which spend $63.1 billion annually. Without an economic stimulus for the nonprofit arts industry, experts expect about 10 percent of these organizations (ranging from large arts institutions like museums and operas to small community-based organizations in suburban, urban and rural areas) to shut their doors in 2009 - a loss of 260,000 jobs.

Nonprofit arts organizations, museums and public artists are integral members of our local business community-employing people locally, purchasing goods and services within the community, and involved in the marketing and promotion of our communities that bring valuable outside tourism dollars and attract new businesses and workers to move here. King County has built a reputation for its creative community, innovative businesses and entrepreneurial spirit.

These assets distinguish our region and make us globally competitive. In order to stay competitive, arts and culture must be integrated into our regional and national economic stimulus plans.

Sara Edwards
Seattle