The Inquirer's Suburban Headquarters - Group Two

The Big Canvas - July 16, 2008

The groups of eight people consisted of people who were all interested in the arts, although only a few were doing this as their work. One person was an artist who has arranged displays at the Inquirer office. The head of Mount Airy Seminary was there (Lutheran) as well a professor and graduate student from Penn. -- Moderators Dick Gross and Ellen Petersen

For what do people use arts and culture?

Intro to new generations; help to "keep kids out of trouble" (alternatives), way to make a living, showing support for arts, way to investigate the world, entertainment, self-expressive, transcend yourself, self-enrichment, exposure to different cultures (education), creates and reinforces communities, social connections, trying out new things.

Who are the users?

Parents/grandparents, ,cities (1% of projects to pub. Art, students (home schoolers), audiences - attendees, education - students and teachers, religious community, mentors/ other volunteers, museums - attend and foster art projects, businesses - entertain clients, employees, alliances with art institutions

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

• Sophistication

• Attention and care

• Generosity

• Giftedness of humans

• Awareness of surroundings

• Inspirations - students

• Tolerance

• Civility

• Appreciation of the arts

• Creativity

• Awareness

• Roots - Identity/tradition

• Sense of place

• Historical perspective

• Decoration and aesthetics

• Environment matters

• Quality

• Respect for public spaces (e.g. murals)

• Risk-taking

• Skill and genius

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

• Area’s lack of funds - audiences to attend, artists to present and produce

• Economy - can't afford it (hard times now)

• Time competition and demands

• Transportation - lack of access, cost, hassle

• Lack of awareness of venues - lack of publicity money

• Tough times - art first to go - schools and elsewhere

• Patron mentality - not there or lessened (i.e. wealthy folks), wealthy used to fund art.

• Used to be "cradle to grave" cultivation of the arts.

• Competition such as TV

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

• To broaden access and experience across the whole population - especially kids. Increase experience in schools, bring kids to programs, free admission. Need lasting experience, not just a one-time experience.

• Free or reduced admissions to museums and other venues - make it targeted to those who really need the help.

• Promotion of the arts - experimental, for kids to respond to.

• Market arts to business to broaden public support.

• Widen range of art that deserves public support.

• Seek best practices, study models (e.g. cities that successfully support art, engage professional help.

• Expand the Visitor Center. For example, Anchorage, Alaska, has shuttles for all tourists.

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

• Broaden access end experiences across the whole population.

• Widen the range of arts that deserve public support.

• Expand the Visitor's Center.

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

• School funding - higher then arts and culture

• Health care - higher

• Homeless - higher

• Public safety - higher

• Infrastructure - higher

• Energy costs - lower

• Private enterprise (e.g. public supports for) - lower

• Sports facilities - lower

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

• Sports venues - tax or teams more involved in stimulating arts funding and involvement.

• Lottery funds put to arts

• Partner with schools to improve schools through arts and culture.

• Arts and culture get funding for schools - invest in artists to assist.

• University community supplies support for arts and culture.

• Public safety - Substitute paint brushes for guns, involve arts in prison early release programs, mural-arts work.

• Require developers to invest funds in arts via tax or broader responsibility: art in bldgs./ enterprise/ casinos.

• Tourism - Link funding to arts and culture.