Recession, Losing Bush as Muse Will Hurt US Artists

The end of the Bush era could mean tough times for the arts, the Morgan Falconer writes in the Times of London. Not only will artists, filmmakers, and writers lose the muse who has inspired critical works, but the economic crisis will drain financial support. John McCain already implied he would trim federal backing, and Barack Obama would likely be forced to do the same.

Private funding for the arts will also take a hit. A film critic thinks studios will only support syrupy, lowest-common-denominators in hard times, and theatergoers are expecting a lot of musicals—think more “Mamma Mia!” and less “August: Osage County.” The contemporary art market will also take a hit, with one critic expecting scores of gallery closures and the cancellation of museum exhibits. (More National Endowment for the Arts stories.)