Baldwin, Spacey head to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, March 29 (UPI) -- Hollywood actors Alec Baldwin and Kevin Spacey are to testify before Congress in Washington during Arts Advocacy Day April 5, organizers said Tuesday.

The stars will join other artists, as well as business and civic leaders, for the event. They are expected to appear before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior to demonstrate the economic benefits of public funding for the arts and arts education, and advocate for pro-arts legislation.

Arts Advocacy Day is organized by Americans for the Arts, a non-profit organization for advancing the arts, and is presented this year in partnership with Ovation, a television network devoted to arts culture.

"The arts are vital to the health of America's economy," Robert L. Lynch, president and chief executive officer of Americans for the Arts, said in a statement. "Our nation's non-profit arts industry supports 5.7 million jobs and generates $166.2 billion in annual economic activity. National Endowment for the Arts dollars are the critical link to this economic impact."

"Continued government support for the arts and arts education is critical to sustaining and growing our nation's economy," said Charles Segars, chief executive officer of Ovation and honorary co-chair of Arts Advocacy Day. "The rapidly evolving global economy demands a dynamic and creative workforce. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to support the arts and arts education both on the national and local levels."