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Do your (p)Art

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This information came my way from Mr. Rey Parla. If you consider yourself into art you should support this.

Simply stated, its a bill up that would allow artists to make a tax deduction for works donated to nonprofit institutions.

Kind of beside the point, but good to know… as it is now collectors may take a deduction for the works, but creators can only deduct their “basis” value i.e., the cost of materials used to make the art. LAME!

It only takes a second. They’ve done the work for you here:

http://capwiz.com/artsusa/

But go ahead and take two seconds, make it personal.

The Kids at Hotel Todo Azul
The Todo Azul kids, stoked, as it were.

Here’s the stance I took:

Dear Representative Harman,

It has come to my attention that there is a very important bill purposed called the “Artist Deduction Bill” HR 1126, offered by Reps. John Lewis and Todd Platts.

I am currently involved in supporting a family owned surf hotel in El Salvador who’s made it their objective to boost the local children’s schooling, support individuals’ medical needs and educate the community in nutrition. This is only the beginning.

I am creating a program of exchange with a few of today’s popular and collected artists to the benefit this small Salvadorian community.  The formula is as follows: the artists donate their time and works to the hotel, their involvement generates the right press attracting more visitors, which in turn lends money to nourish these families in need.

kids_toys
Hotel Todo Azul’s first toy drive. That’s Lissette The hotel owner smiling at you

If these artists knew that the government was willing to support their efforts to give, I believe we could run a much more successful program.

The “customizable” letter provided by http://capwiz.com/ mentions museums, libraries and educational institutions that lack funds to acquire works of art and rely on donations. This thinking regards art only as an product that we must keep in stock for edifying purposes.

Art however, can reach so much further than these houses. Art is generally made by people who are natural samaritans. If their hearts have not been closed by economic hardship, and with a little support, the good in those who create today’s art can benefit communities in ways that can only be realized on these smaller, local levels such as in the case of the little surf hotel in El Salvador, Hotel Todo Azul.

kid_surf
Lissette tells me this kid is a local legend

Please carefully consider how your support of this bill will work on these minute levels. Your support will improve the lives of those who are poised to help others.

Without incentive to give their works to nonprofit institutions, artists generally sell them to private collectors at the public’s loss. This bipartisan legislation would simply allow artists to take a fair-market value deduction for works given to and retained by nonprofit institutions.

I urge you to co-sponsor this important legislation, and I thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Princess Christine Renee Czetwertynski

(That’s right. I used the Princess title.)

family_sunset
Sunset at Todo Azul: El Salvador

Written by christinerenee

June 13, 2009 at 3:01 pm

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