Moore College in Philadelphia - Group Three

The Big Canvas - July 30, 2008

This was a diverse group of individuals primarily from the city, who enjoyed the arts and were involved in the direction, education and sponsorship of the arts. They included the following:

Center City – interest and care very much
Pennsport – arts-and-culture lover
Germantown – horticulturist
Center City – music and libraries
Olde City – development of the arts
Media – director or Japanese House and Gardens
Center City/Rittenhouse – daughter is a dancer, also enjoys new venues
Center City – Paul Robeson House
Center City – involved with different arts organizations

-- Moderator Franne McNeal and Recorder Pete Lafferty

For what do people use arts and culture?

Diverse perspectives on uses, though focus was on traditional "known" venues and awareness that other voices around uses may not be reflected in their list. The uses were connected to a sense that arts & culture was and should be an integral part of the community and fabric of life, so all ages and perspectives should be allowed to express themselves, participate, create organizations, and receive sponsorship. The list of uses and users grew easily because there was passion about the subject.

Neighborhood basketball, Barnes, Museums, PHS – gardening, city gardens, Wagner, culinary arts, galleries, theaters, fringe festival, exhibitions, music-Kimmel, orchestra – neighborhood concerts for free, bookstores, jazz-small venues, artists in residence, summer camps, performing-arts camps, parents with kids, school, recreation centers.

Who are the users?

Young people, k-12, new supporters, events that are open to all and attract more diversity – Fringe Festival, 30-50 years of age, young adults – First Fridays, drop in-casual visits – okay to have low level of commitment – if it is a festival – informal program, students,
children 6-10 and 10-13, older generation – 60-80, younger generation, those in the know.

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

When discussion shifted formally to value (benefit) and values (core meaning within one's life), the exchange included the sense of community and awareness that even people who may not participate (as attendees, founders, creators, artists, patrons, etc), deserve the right to be aware of and involved in shaping arts and culture. The concept of "educating" and
informing the public of options and removing barriers was a part of the value and values discussion.

• Opera preparation – where is it done? Own section for people new to the arts, artists in residence, personal connection,
public schools/charter schools- stress arts, world-view, share with others what I enjoy, view things differently, creative thinking, ideas of what is possible, communal experience, shared experience, expand understanding, exposure at any age, mural arts – example of group experience, arts education, keep arts in school, art programs at higher education for senior citizens, study arts means you will attend arts, see and hear the original

• Art changes people's thinking; use technology for exposure, exposure to other cultures, what else is living about, enrich community, universal experience, get kids to
arts, inspire new artists – new technology – new members, art forum, connect with others who have like interests, involve youth at an early age, social change through the arts - early K-5 exposure means continued attendance – less violence.

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

The primary emphasis was on money (for the organizations to have the infrastructure necessary to operate and promote their events). The secondary emphasis was on the supporting
resources (tangible, emotional that get in the way of the biggest use and appreciation of the arts and culture) – which include transportation, hearsay, lack of time, perceptions of safety, perceptions that certain types of art are for certain types of people.

• Money

• Public transportation with longer hours to accommodate ending of shows. Also, Amtrak schedule not compatible – have to leave show early to run home, parking meters require coins until 8pm-10-pm-12pm – so have to worry about getting a parking ticket

• Parental disinterest.

• Parents
can't afford things.

• Peer pressure.

• Time crunch (desire to go, but not acted upon).

• Not known or publicized, communication takes work – and marketing/advertising dollars are expensive.

• Competing values: art vs. marketing tension, challenging to find free ways to publicize events and boost attendance, not trying new marketing.

• Logistics of parking and food not communicated.

• Funding for organizations.

• Return on investment is focus of sponsors.

• Audience (especially kids) must have necessary preparation to appreciate the arts – know ahead of time that there will be men
in tights) – so they avoid embarrassment and distraction.

• Reasonable food and drink options. Experience is more than attending the event – includes food-drink-dessert, perspective form those new to the arts – high financial risk and low rewards (comfort level is not high).

• Arts have an "ivory tower" – "grand columns" perception – and many may feel art is for someone else, age, being a solo attendee, lack of comfort mixing with those who are different, something new – how to know if its for you, level of knowledge and
information about art and the events.

• Hearsay/rumors. Word of mouth keeps others away.

• In between DC and NY - How do we compare?

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

In order of priority:

1. Develop arts in education – fully incorporated – interdisciplinary – performances are integrated into curriculum – [money to arts groups to distribute to schools].

2. City money for general operating expenses for successful programs – [Cultural Alliance (not city or schools) oversees the distribution/allocation of support/resources for publicity, funding, etc.]

3. Community art centers: music programming (Fleischer).

4. Interns are paid to work in museum and theatre education.

5. List:

• Affordable for families

• Subsidies to organizations

• Music lessons for very young

• Museums – descriptive, canvas niche

• Dollars for culture revenue

• Historic sites and houses

• Regional theaters = multiple uses

6. List:

• Regional theatres

• Parks are a safety valve

• Art for adults

• Young performing groups (both in age and organization age), so there is assistance with finances, help for the startup process and setup, and guidance for groups so they avoid financial woes.

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

In order of priority:

1. Develop arts in education

2. City money for arts

3. Community Arts Centers

4. Paid interns

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

Higher priority than arts and culture, plus arts and culture provides
collaborative solutions:

• Safety and crime: People not going out, not feeling safe, limits their
activity especially with public transportation. Arts and culture is not a fix for crime, fix crime first, but arts and culture may help with youth expressing themselves. (Mural Arts program)

• Public education: Money to arts and culture organizations to dispense, address money needs of institutions who do huge amounts to improve education which has an influence on academics and helps enrich the minds of students. Arts-and-culture education helps to better other issues.

• Attracting corporations: Create jobs; arts and culture creates "additional revenues: hotels, restaurants, etc.; develops general workforce.

• Race relations, cross-cultural

• Environment

Higher priority than arts and culture:

• Health and health care

• Environment

• Race relations, cross-cultural

Lower priority than arts and culture, plus arts and culture provides
collaborative solutions:

• Community development: Arts and culture helps, provides activities, expression, increase value of options within community, raising perception of neighborhood, may up housing prices, attract stores.

• Welfare of youth: Reduce crime, improve quality of life, reach out to those not going/involved.

• Developing the waterfront

Lower priority than arts and culture:

• Public utilities accountability

• Homelessness

• Continuing education

• Transportation

• Integrating retiree: Volunteer w/ youth, intergenerational activities