The Big Canvas Confab - Group Four

The Big Canvas Confab - Group Four

There were 23 participants, 11 men (one minority male) and 12 women (three minority women), and most participants were 40 plus. Moderators were Ellen Petersen and Pete Lafferty.

What the arts and culture leaders/workers thought most important:

• The Website 2.0; helpful information sharing

• TKTS-(NYC) inspired idea: websites for ½ price tickets

• World-class center for arts/culture

• Transportation

• Arts to the Parks—Democratize arts

• Center City and beyond

• Community Action

• Information about the process

• Wilmington to Easton

• Future Dialogue; Suburban focus

• Quilts as a metaphor for Community Creativity

• Citizen’scritique/commentary

• Encouraged by attendance at this event (12/6; Big Canvas Confab)

Without new money:
• Web 2.0:  needs to be used and have traffic

• Create more common space/’hang-out’ space in 3-D—E.G.: Kimmel Center

• Promote Web 2.0 with PSA’s on TV/Radio

• Local Chamber of Commerce

• Interact with local businesses

• Elitist image:  web can help encourage more involvement
• Be inclusive of community (demographics)

• Media:  more coverage; validation; positive reinforcement

• Public Access/Community TV—promote Arts and Culture

• Web application

• Accessibility for persons with disabilities

• Accessibility for Senior Citizen population (Seniors have expertise/experience they would like to share with youth in the classroom, and others in general)

Discussion/What citizens thought most important:

• Rebranding to Philly and the world as a great arts mecca

• It is an aggressive agenda

• Making “dark spaces: known for availability to others is great

• Local media needs to tell the story ore effectively

• Van Go Bus is great and necessary to get kids around and be a part of the experience

• Involving politicians

• Philly 2.0 website

• Let everyone know what is already happening, part of “Philly attitude”

• Take advertising $ and be more specific in the marketing (# theaters, get rid of sleepover); head to head comparison with other cities like Chicago

• Directions to events made visible on a map-make it clear and easy

• Tie citizens with technology in “viral” not virus approach

• Leverage current economic environment to show creative economy can solve larger issue

Common ground:

• Love of Philly “Age 9-90”.  Everyone has something to give (and get)

• Uplift kids

• Way to solve common issue: schools cutting back and institutions have capacity.  Bridge gap

• Sell diversity of issues and people as a plus

• Art can be an economic generator, a basic building block