Americans for the Arts provides links to position papers of where the presidential candidates stand on issues relating to the arts.

Take a gander at what they say and know that just because a link no longer works doesn’t mean the candidate doesn’t have a position. I’m looking at your shifty website, Huckabee.

Among the Democrats, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama express strong support for the arts and education. Bonus points go to Clinton, who pointed out how NCLB left the arts (and, by extension, the children) behind. Bonus points go to Barack Obama for proposing new, innovative programs to bring the arts to places where they are needed the most. Additional bonus points go to Mike Huckabee, who has the courage among Republicans to say anything, and to take a very strong position at that — calling the arts, “weapons of mass instruction.”

Should you find yourself near a Creative Loafing distribution point, pick yourself up a copy and turn to page 16. There’s my article!

It turns out the Atlanta Regional Commission, in its infinite wisdom, decided to take out federal funding for the entire western half of the Beltline from the region’s 25-year plan.

You can also read a more detailed account on Fresh Loaf.

Once you’re done being angry about government incompetence, turn to page 31, and read about Freddie Ashley, the new Artistic Director at Actor’s Express. I also interviewed him earlier this week for the Atlanta Performs Podcast. Once you’ve finished reading about Freddie, feel good to know that something good and right is going on in Atlanta.

Why mention these two things in the same post? Take a look at the map for the Northwest section of the Beltline. You’ll notice there’s a trail that is slated to go directly between a Beltline transit station and King Plow Arts Center, the home of Actor’s Express. That’s just one example of many showing how the Beltline will improve connectivity in the city, not to mention our quality of life. But that’s assuming the ARC puts the funds back in for the western half.

New York: Make Music New York (Streetfilms)

Portland: Intersection Repair (Streetfilms)

Detroit: Motor City Blight Busters

Tonight at 6:00, a new exhibit opens at the Museum of Design Atlanta — The Design Prescription: How the Built Environment Affects our Health.

I was very lucky to have an opportunity to contribute to this exhibit and encourage you to check it out. My contribution is a short documentary created by myself and Cathy — 4 Commuters. The documentary chronicles the daily commutes of four people, each of whom use one of four different modes of transportation — a car, transit, feet, and a bicycle.

Over time, we’ll be building the 4 Commuters website to document how 4 average, real or hypothetical commuters come into conflict with one another, and what urban design elements can be used to alleviate those conflicts. We may even get really trendier-than-thou and ask whether, in some cases, it’s a good idea to alleviate modal conflicts.

But in the meantime, go and stop by the MoDA gallery space at Peachtree Center’s Marquis 2 building and check out this new exhibit.

At work, we just launched the new Georgia Performs, which has information about the upcoming GO Arts Festival, which begins with a “Free Night of Theater.” Tell your friends about it! Spread the word! Mark this Sunday, Oct. 1, on your calendar to pick up your free tickets at either of the AtlanTIX booths.

After the festival, Georgia Performs will be the site to go to for discount tickets online.