Two years ago, I was on a delegation for Arts Advocacy Day in DC, where I sat down with three Republican congressman seeking support for $200 million for the NEA.It was great to receive a day of lobbying training arming up with facts like:
1. Artists create work immediately - we don't need 3+ years to design a road/bridge;
2. For every $1 spent on arts there is $7 in related spending. Think about when you go to the Aronoff: dinner + tip+ valet+ program/souvenir+ buy a drink/dessert What would downtown be without it?
3. Artists' jobs cannot be exported and artists pay taxes too;
4. I am in the business of creating taxpayers vs. welfare cases or criminals who cost tax payers.
Then in the Capitol Offices I got to balance a huge red leather Congressman's office chair on my chin. He did a classic double take and we got the votes and the funding.
Over the past decade I have been creating Social Circus.
Social Circus is
"The growing movement toward the use of circus arts as mediums for social justice and social good. It uses alternative pedagogical tools to work with youth who are marginalized or at social or personal risk. A characteristic of the social circus is its universality and accessibility. Each person, in accordance with their abilities, is able to realize their own potential through the wide gamut of activities that the circus offers: one can participate in juggling, trapeze, acrobatics, clowning, balancing acts, etc."
University Hospital physician Dr Victor Garcia invited me to the Cincinnati Appreciative Inquiry Workshop on Sept 11, 2010, to participate in a "conversation about how we might stem the violence in our communities and better integrate historically disenfranchised people back into the life of Cincinnati, and in doing so make life in Cincinnati a richer and more sustainable place."
I have developed and led successful non-profits but now I am about to embark on seeking to start-up a Low Profit Limited Liability Corporation to utilize the methods of Social Circus to help give opportunities and build resilience for poor people. If you are interested in investing in this venture you can contact me at
paul@circusmojo.com.