Al.com: "The arts are as basic to their way of life"

Today's selection comes from a website that actually combines content from several news outlets in Alabama. This particular quote comes from Jon Busdeker's article, "Alabama State Council on the Arts director Al Head talks to the Times", in the Hunstville Times. The quote in its entirety is actually the response to a question from a Q&A:

"
Q: Looking ahead, where are the arts in Alabama headed?

The arts in Alabama, as part of a movement nationally, are headed for a time where "The Arts Matter". This is a slogan picked-up by the National Endowment for the Arts and is being promoted and used as a way of emphasizing the relevance of the arts to people, communities, states and the country. As we continue to evolve as a civilized people we realize increasingly that we live by more than bread alone. Certainly one of the purposes of government has to be the protection and enhancement of the quality of life for its people. Clearly, quality of life means different things to different people but, it is hard to talk about quality of life without including the arts. In education, economic development or the simple act of celebrating life, the arts matter. In Italy, where Alabama has started a cultural exchange, it is unthinkable for Italians to envision a life without the arts. The arts are as basic to their way of life as good food, a roof over their head and close-knit families. When people from other states and other countries visit Alabama they are always surprised to experience such a rich artistic environment. In the future we need for the arts not to be such a pleasant surprise but rather, a primary reason for coming."

Follow the link below for the full article:

Alabama State Council on the Arts director Al Head talks to the Times