The Big Canvas Confab - Group Two

The Big Canvas Confab - Group Two

Twenty-five to 30 people were part of this group, and most identified themselves as arts people. (Two were Barnes people, one of whom was asked to leave.) Attendees included Al Brown of the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center; Fran Orlando, Arts Comm. Perf. Arts; Denise Wilson, Urban Oasis; Margie of the Theatre Alliance; and Kimberlie, an actress from Phoenixville.  Only three identified themselves as citizens as I introduced myself and asked their interests. The arts people dominated the session. Moderators were Chris Satullo and Dick Gross. Deputy Speak of the House Josh Shapiro along with legislative aide Mark Koenig also joined the group.

What elected officials thought most important:
State Rep. Josh Shapiro of Montgomery County feels bad economic times do not have to interfere with creative thinking, innovative approaches and objectives. As things evolve here, he says he will push it in Harrisburg. There was an Arts Compact that met years ago that did not work out because of competing agendas and because counties did not supply resources. What were the overall goals? Need to eliminate these conflicts.

He feels he needs to open his own kids eyes to art. If kids are interested in the arts, their parents will be. He wants to see Philly folk made aware of suburban art. Arts need to get out of silos and get a broader perspective.

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

• Point Breeze head: ("Tough area" - his phrase.) Kids need to pick positive opportunities. "You can achieve!" He feels "little dogs" badly need funding - not just "big dogs."

• Theatre Alliance: They have to work hard just to survive. Should be supported through bad economic times. Some organizations have already been lost. 

• We lag behind other cities (citizen - corp.) in support of arts and culture. Problems are of long-standing. The way the Barnes has been handled is an example.

• The media gives arts and culture short shrift. Not good coverage.

• Urban Oasis: Urban youth underserved. Need to infuse support here. (Centennial District mentioned). Councilperson Blackwell mentioned as supportive. What about auctions to support artists?

• Josh Shapiro: Hears similar things in the suburbs - Abington - Is there any collaboration? Cultural institutions hear this a lot. Time is an issue  - hard to find time to do this.

• Art Aware: Trying to maintain arts in the city schools. Satisfy older people. Reach out to nearby schools.

• Kimberley Grey - Grey Charitable Trust: In competition for funds. Need a structure to decide how to allocate scarce dollars. Not everyone gets a share. Perhaps an organization could take on the Kimmel as a project - what to do with the space?

Common ground:

• Ideas - but most accepted them as ideas the whole group favored.

     → Young Playwrights: Would teach students to write, perform, produce plays. Teachers would need training. (Program already exists.)
     → State: Arts should be required throughout all grade levels. (Minnesota has such a fund.)
     → Fran - Bucks County: Arts Mobile - Trying hard to keep two things going - funds needed. Has had to raise fees. Projects are there. (One art person's point - not consensus.)
     → Phoenixville actor: Theater to reach a broad range of people. Make theater tickets more important than a dinner out.

• General agreement:

     → Arts for youth - ticketing collaboration is being attempted.
     → Foundations are critical in the Phila. Area.
     → Sante Fe - Good model for the arts?
     → Gaming - any funds available there? (J. Shapiro: Everyone wants a piece of this.)