Moore College in Philadelphia - Group 10

The Big Canvas - July 30, 2008

Group 10 had eight participants. After fully participating, one person left before the end of the session. The group was opinionated and vocal. And, as the session progressed, the group developed an admirable working relationship. -- Moderator Eddie Battle and Recorder Susanne Iannece

Why did you decide to attend this event?

• Philadelphia Inquirer.

• Because Chris Satullo is great!

• Manage Philadelphia
Cultural Fund.

• Get a different perspective from other citizens.

• Interested in issues that affect the city.

• Compassionate practitioner of the arts.

• Interested in links among architecture and community. (Architecture is part of arts and culture; how can it be a part of the community or what links might exist?)

• Think the project (The Big Canvas: Arts & Culture in the region) is great.

• Arts and culture in the region is important.

For what do people use arts and culture?

Enrichment, entertainment, education, to get away, relaxation, celebrate, passing information to the next generation, meet new people, to be creative, to share, to learn, do something different, experience something new, to be inspired, history, to understand the soul of a place and to have [one’s] own soul touched, attract visitors and tourists, to impact the economy.

Who are
the users?

Residents, visitors and tourists, educators, all students, artists, seniors, senior groups, middles [middle-aged people] and children, people who create, professionals and non-professional [in the arts], employees of institutions, marketers, politicians, financial supporters, corporations, thinkers, religious groups, community and neighborhood groups, international presenters, conventioneers.

What values do you think arts and culture bring to individuals, families, communities? What basic values do they support?

• Appreciation of diversity.

• Open mindedness.

• Entertainment.

• Art supports good citizenship and consciousness.

• Art creates a dialogue and a sense of pride.

• Self identity, civic identity.

• Art is a positive, wholesome interaction.

• Generates dialogue.

• Art can be hopeful, beautifies.

• Creates social awareness.

• Can discover a different dimension of self.

• Art makes you think and creates a common ground among people.

• Challenges you, encourage.

• Gives you perspective on life.

• Access to different cultures and periods of time.

• Arts and culture gives confidence.

 

In our region, what are the barriers to these uses and values?

• Inconvenience.

• Lack of interest or feeling.

• The perception that art is boring.

• Transportation.

• Lack of motivation.

• Venues.

• Money, personal disposable income.

• Public funding.

• Budgets and finances.

• Attitude.

• Competing priorities.

• Parking.

• Perception of crime.

• Fear of “trying it by yourself" and or “trying something new.”

• Lack of awareness.

• School budgets.

• Time- hours of operation (of various institutions) and individual time (time that the individual has at her/his disposal).

• Lack of exposure at an early age.

• Physical barriers-[not being] handicap friendly.

• Institutions are not user friendly or welcoming.

• Unwillingness to come into the city.

• Image of Philadelphia (negative image of Phila.).

 

You're part of a committee that's going to decide how $60 million gets spent. What's on your list?

• Arts education programs in grades K through 12; including making art mandatory and taking students to events.

• “Signature/Cultural” events that encompasses all forms of the arts, e.g. Spoleto Festival.

• Funding community art groups with general operating money.

• Build our base, art programs, while preparing for the signature event. The money we spend will provide and generate more dollars.

• Subsidies for all tickets so families can afford to attend.

• Free tickets for children.

• Artist stipends.

• Shuttle buses/ transportation to and from events.

• Marketing and advertising.

 

There's only $20 million to spend. How do you prioritize your list from the previous
question?

• Arts education programs in grades K through 12; including making art mandatory and taking students to events.

• Funding community art groups with general operating money.

• “Signature/Cultural” events that encompasses all forms of the arts, e.g. Spoleto Festival.

 

Other major regional concerns or issues? Which of these have a higher or lower
priority than arts and culture?

• Crime fighting - higher priority than arts and culture

• Transportation

• Public education - higher priority than arts and culture

• Infrastructure, e.g. bridges, etc. - - higher priority than arts and culture

• Homelessness

• Lack of public dollars

• Shrinking city population

• Stereotyping

• Economy

• Retaining college graduates

• Recruiting new businesses

• High taxes

• Reach out to regional boroughs

For what other issues could arts and culture be part of the
solution?

• Transportation

• Public education

• Lack of public dollars

• Shrinking city population

• Economy

• Retaining college graduates

• Recruiting new businesses