Signs with messages such as “RIP Art in LA” and “Jindal Gets an F in Art” filled the streets of downtown Baton Rouge on Wednesday as supporters of Louisiana Arts and Culture protested Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed budget cuts.Supporters of the Louisiana arts and culture joined together to hold a “Jazz Funeral for Louisiana Arts and Culture.”The march began at noon in Lafayette Park then protesters walked down Third Street before passing in front of the state Capitol. Jindal’s budget cuts include an 83 percent cut in decentralized arts funding and a 31 percent cut to statewide art grants.Derek Mudd, communication studies graduate assistant, delivered a eulogy before the march criticizing Jindal’s proposed cuts to the arts.”Art, like all great human inventions, is born out of struggle,” Mudd said. “And Bobby Jindal sure as hell cannot suffocate it.”The cuts will hit home for many people, as many as 144,00 jobs will be lost — approximately 7.6 percent of the state’s employment base, according to a press release from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge,The cuts could virtually eliminate a $10 billion dollar industry that Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu’s office said will devastate a tremendous economic boost to every parish in the state.University students and faculty were out to show their disapproval of the proposed budget cuts.Brandon Nicholas, communication studies graduate student, said the cuts are something Jindal should reconsider.”Art funds almost our entire economy,” Nicholas said. “Cutting the funding by 83 percent would be a huge mistake.”Holley Vaughn, communication studies doctoral student, agreed with Nicholas, saying cuts such as these would be devastating during the recession.”It doesn’t matter if you are a fan of the arts, or what end of the political spectrum you are on, this is just good policy,” Vaughn said. “The cultural economy is the second-largest industry in Louisiana. These budget cuts will directly affect the people involved.”The cuts hit home for Vaughn, who like many other students, will be looking for a job soon.”These budget cuts mean that a lot of the jobs that I will be applying for after I graduate will not be there,” Vaughn said.Jindal’s proposed cuts somewhat oppose the national government, which recently gave $50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts.Last year, Louisiana received 27 grants from the NEA totaling $1,343,700.Jindal spoke out against arts funding on Larry King Live on March 2 in response to President Obama’s policy address.”Fundamentally, I don’t think … $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts is going to get the economy moving again as quickly as allowing the private sector to create jobs,” Jindal said. Jane Alexander, actress and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, criticized Jindal after his interview on Larry King Live.”Well what he doesn’t understand is that $50 million goes directly … as a grant to organizations which employ people,” Alexander said. “It’s quick, and it’s a system that works beautifully, and it’s done within a year.”Supporters were hoping to not only change the mind of Jindal but also the House Appropriations Committee, which is meeting today to discuss the proposed budget cuts.—Contact Joshua Chenier at [email protected]