Moore College in Philadelphia - Group Eight

The Big Canvas - July 30, 2008

The group of ten consisted of people from across Philadelphia who were primarily attendees of arts institutions in Philadelphia. -- Moderators: Stacie Molnar-Main and Bryan McHale

For what do people use arts and culture?

Fringe Festival; arts at low prices; exposure to different experiences; education - for adults and kids; historical attractions; elaxation - it can take you to another place; sciences as culture (Franklin Institute, Zoo, etc.); Art Museum; orchestra; ballet/dance; technology / Internet as arts medium; weekend entertainment (Web site and specials).

Who are the users?

Children; community; all age groups; public schools; visitors / tourists; business groups; arts students; empty-nesters; family from out of town / country; suburbs / South Jersey; families; gardeners (flower show); people who want companionship or want to be part of an audience or community.

Potential users - There was significant discussion in the group about pulling in different users during the day, including: Workers at lunch,  second and third shift workers free during the day, those working from home by computer with more flexible schedules, homemakers, and part time workers.

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

• Brings people together face-to-face (establishes “common good”)
• Combats isolation / builds community
• Inspiration brought by the arts
• Emotional engagement / takeaways
• Enrichment of humanity
• Demonstration of skill / capacity of people
• Educational; exposure to science and environment can impact personal decision-making
• Exposure to other cultures and ideas
• Counter-balance to “gory world of TV and news”
• Relaxation;  beyond “hum-drum”
• Culture makes a life – “Work makes a living / culture gives life meaning”
• Media matters and is a part of the culture
• Culture is from Hayden to Hip-Hop, from Live performance to Remote exposure
• Contact with creativity can be met broadly

Discussion: The last three values were brought up in a discussion about modern media. Some felt  that we promote a limited view of arts and culture if we view TV as a barrier. TV is part of the culture. Some people are more comfortable experiencing art and culture via the TV or computer than they are going to a live show. Those people should be considered users of a particular medium that relies upon video or computer imaging. It would be worth exploring how TV and computers mediate arts and culture for Philadelphians.

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

• Parents not giving freedom to kids to go to events alone.
• Media distance from culture (no more Leonard Bernstein on TV).
• Lack of safe public transportation (either in reality or perception).
• Lack of reasonably affordable and accessible public transit.
• Lack of knowledge of affordable parking.
• Fear of walking at night to and from car (perception vs. reality).
• Train lines stop running at 10-11 at night.
• TV / media coverage of city emphasizes negative.
• Lack of publicity.
• Inertia: no sense of urgency - “I'll go tomorrow.”
• It is taken for granted that it will always be there.
• Some like arts and culture but don't participate.
• Narrow perception of arts and culture.
• The perceived need to get “dressed up.”
• Mindset: “If it's here in Philly, it can't be that good.”
• Price inhibits “trial” uses or people with less disposable income.
• Lack of exposure to live arts and culture vs. ease of access to TV culture.
• Lack of exposure to different mediums.
• Fear / intimidation of some mediums.
• Not enough participatory art/culture experiences (Kids need to participate in art, not just learn about it).
• Lack of education for native Philadelphians.
• Working hours have expanded (many people more than 8 hrs and on weekends).
• Changing role of women (working, parenting, other activities, caregivers).
• Limits on time (especially when trying to coordinate both parents and kids schedules).

Possible remedies: Embrace diversity of users; employers could create better work setting to support access.

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

• Reduced transportation cost with a ticket stub from an Arts/Culture event. (Get your ticket stamped and ride home free.)
• Validate SEPTA fee like a parking voucher.
• Grants for child care / Transportation for people with limited income.
• Hands-on training in the arts (participatory experience).
• Adjust SEPTA schedules to meet arts schedules.
• Arts and culture transportation route using malls as hubs.
• Regional arts and culture Web site including information on events, transportation, food, etc.; perhaps acting as an interactive trip planner.
• Use one of the city's public access channels for publicity (ongoing).
• “Free night out” held more than once a year - citizens could get in free to galleries and cultural events.
• Arts and culture “pass” to be used anywhere.
• Education.
• Arts and music programs.
• Outreach to local community centers.
• Traveling groups / exhibits in neighborhoods.
• Art appreciation classes.

Discussion: There was significant concern over where the $60 million comes from. Some felt that if it came from taxes then it would need to be spent differently then if it was from foundations. Also there was an interest in regionalizing funding and spending -- so Philadelphians don’t pay the entire bill and suburban arts organizations benefit also.

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

Each person got three votes.  The top choices were:

• Validating SEPTA fares (10 votes)
• Education (9 votes)
• Increase publicity (5 votes)
• Free night out (3 votes)

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

Higher priority:

• Education

Split decision:

• Public safety / Crime

Lower priority:

• Public transit
• Infrastructure
• Prisons
• Libraries
• Public housing
• Parks and recreation
• Health care

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

• Public safety / Crime
• Libraries
• Parks and recreation
• Education