The "Room for Debate" section of The New York Times website tackled the issue of "How to Fund the Arts in America" last week, asking experts to share their opinions on topic in a series of short pieces.

Americans for the Arts President & CEO Robert L. Lynch took part, along with fellow contributors like Stacy Palmer (The Chronicle of Philanthropy) and Michael Royce (New York Foundation for the Arts).

Here is a short excerpt from Lynch's article:

"Last month, 800 advocates were in Washington to defend to Congress the 47 cents per person that America spends on the National Endowment for the Arts. This amount should be much more but despite its seemingly small percentage, government support leverages billions in matching dollars, increases access—€”especially for the underserved—€”and encourages new voices, ideas, and expressive endeavors that have kept the U.S. at the vanguard of creativity and innovation.

This system has prevented any one entity from imposing a single aesthetic, resulting in a vibrant American creative and artistic environment. What it hasn'€™t achieved is nationwide industry stability—€”but we have compelling community stories of where that stability is happening through creative solutions like hotel-motel taxes and cultural districting."

All seven opinion pieces can be read on the "Room for Debate" site and Lynch's entire article can be found here.