Mile-High Musings on Arts, Culture, Creativity and Philanthropy

The City of Philadelphia’s visual art exhibition program Art In City Hall , in collaboration with the National Arts Program Foundation , last night opened the 10th National Arts Program at Philadelphia, an exhibition featuring works of art by City of Philadelphia government employees and their families, including children.  Participants of this year’s exhibit come from many different departments and agencies in City government, including DHS, Law, Commerce, Free Library, Prisons, Police, Fire, Water, Courts, City Council and more. The exhibition is open to the public from December 17 to February 19, 2010 and is located on the fifth floor of City Hall, north corridor. The thing I love about this program is how it engages the full scope of Philadelphia's public employees, and shows that we have social workers, police officers, fire fighters, code enforcement officials, attorneys, administrators, etc. who are artists. These are people who make MAKING art a part of their life, a...

This past Wednesday Senators Tom Coburn and John McCain issued a new report purporting to identify 100 projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that they feel raise questions about the effective use of these funds. This report has been covered in the media (see this Wall Street Journal story ) and once again has raised the point - why is investing in the arts as part of recovery somehow considered to be, by its very nature, inappropriate?  The list includes a number of arts projects funded by the NEA's stimulus grant program as well as other ARRA categories. A quick overview of the arts related projects on the McCain/Coburn list: $225K for Shakespeare theatre festivals in several different communities. $100k to "Anti-Capitalist, Socially-Conscious Puppet Shows (which includes $25K to Philadelphia's Spiral Q Puppet Theatre ). What they define as "Clown Theatrical Production" - actually our own Philadelphia-based Pig Iron Theatre...

Andrew Taylor posted this Obama quote from the Kennedy Center Honors that I thought I would share: “ In times of war and sacrifice, the arts — and these artists — remind us to sing and to laugh and to live. In times of plenty, they challenge our conscience and implore us to remember the least among us. In moments of division or doubt, they compel us to see th e common values that we share; the ideals to which we aspire, even if we sometimes fall short. In days of hardship, they renew our hope that brighter days are still ahead. ” Well said Mr. President (or at least, great speechwriter...)!  Thanks for sharing Andrew.

Susan Stamberg of NPR gave a great talk this past Friday at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the subject of "why museums matter."  In fact, though she used visual art and museums as a theme, she was really talking about the larger issues of the importance of the arts. Her talk was wide ranging and much more personal than the usual arts advocacy "why the arts are important" talk, which was why it was so refreshing. Also, having heard Susan on the radio for so many years, it was also a treat to finally see and hear her in person - voice connected to a real live human being. It was hard to take notes during her talk, because I did not want to be distracted from her words by trying to write them down. A few phrases stuck with me from her remarks. She rhetorically asked why we don't ask "why do we need rain," that art "soaks us with discovery." She noted (and believe this may have been a quote from someone else) that "art will save the...

As a follow-up to my earlier post, here is a link to the work of Duncan Speakman , an artist using MP3 players and sound to create a "subtle mob" as he calls it. Here is the direct link to his newest project, called " as if it were the last time ." It is almost as if we need to create a new art form category of experiential, immersive, participatory art. I don't feel that any existing art form categories adequately capture this new developing body of work.

The newest "guerrilla musical" by the New York-based group Improv Everywhere is called " Grocery Store Musical " (photo on left) was just recently shared with me and is very cool. It got me thinking about this whole new trend towards finding ways to insert art into our everyday lives, in ways that are designed to jolt us out of our complacency, our routine. Many have seen the Belgian train station choreographed dance , which has been seen THIRTEEN MILLION times. A special favorite of mine is a flash mob dance routine that appeared in an episode of Weeds (featuring a great song by Michale Franti and Spearhead!). Check it out here . And in Philly a flash mob dance was organized on the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. (With apologies to the organizers, not in the same league as the best of this sort of work - keep trying!) There is a group called " Urban Prankster " that has a web site and documents these sort of flash mob projects all around the world, b...

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal Community Development Block Grant program received $1 billion in additional funding. Philadelphia's share of that allocation worked out to about $14 million. As part of its effort to foster the cultural and creative economy sector as an integrated component of building healthy communities, the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) was able to create a new $500,000 grant program as part of Philadelphia's plan for use of these funds, with the support of both the Mayor and the City Council. This grant program will include the nonprofit arts and culture community as well as for-profit arts, entertainment and creative businesses, and is a part of the Office's larger strategy to nurture and develop this sector by providing specific programs and resources to the creative industries. This grant program also intersects with The Commerce Department’s business services, neighborhood development, busi...

Philadelphia's two original Percent for Art programs, the program of the Redevelopment Authority , and the City of Philadelphia program , have collaborated on a celebration of the 50th anniversary of their creation in 1959 - the first such ordinances in the nation. More info is available here. A wonderful exhibit has been mounted at the Art Institute of Philadelphia gallery on Chestnut Street which features the work of student photographers from four of our leading arts colleges - Moore College of Art, University of the Arts, the Tyler School at Temple, and the Art Institute - interpreting the City's public art collection through their photographs. The idea was to not just highlight the work of art, but show it "in action," as part of the life of the City, and as perceived by young artists. In addition, a symposium was held last Thursday that featured a panel of artists and curators - Andrea Blum, Dennis Oppenheim, Damon Rich and Adelina Vlas, with Aaron Levy from th...

There is interesting news out of Canada about a new arts awareness campaign that is being launched. I know many of the folks involved in this from my years running the national Arts & Business Council, followed by my years at Americans for the Arts after the merger of the two. I attended a few of the Canadian Arts Summit gatherings, of which this campaign is (indirectly) an outcome, and worked closely with the Canadian equivalent of the Arts & Business Council ( CBAC, now known as "Business for the Arts" ). I had always felt the Canadian Arts Summit is a great model to replicate in the US - there is frankly nothing like it here. Since 1998, the convening brings together every year the board chairs, executive director or managing directors, and artistic directors of the 50 largest Canadian arts organizations across all disciplines - museum, opera, symphony, theatre, dance, presenting, etc. This makes for fascinating conversations at the highest level about governance...

As the Mayor's Cultural Advisory Council works with me on developing some concrete goals, strategies and tactics for both the short and long term (if not a full-blown cultural plan) I can't help but reflect on the challenges of the balancing act this process entails, especially in the current climate. We have a wide array of organizations truly struggling right now with their financial stability, from the Philadelphia Orchestra down to very small one-person operations in danger of literally ceasing operations because they must lay off the one paid staff member. On a pure hard-nosed economic calculation, a large organization like the Art Museum or the Orchestra has the most significant impact on the economy - attracting tourists, generating restaurant revenue, employing workers, etc. As a City looking to bolster its revenues which ultimately serves all citizens, the impact of an institution on the City's economy MUST be an important factor in evaluating City investments. On ...

A new study was issued this week by consultant and author Patricia Martin , who writes a great blog on the cultural consumer. I have worked with Pat for many years, and she always has interesting things to say, and good insight into the "zeitgeist" of the cultural consumer - the folks who form our audiences, visitors and arts participants. The "American Life and Culture Survey" reinforces what many arts groups are seeing - in the difficult economy consumer spending and attitudes towards cultural engagement have not changed all that much - people are still buying books, going to performing arts events, attending and renting movies, etc. One big finding: Millennials create; Boomers consume - 82% of younger respondents said their peers consider them creative, and one third of this group blog. The older Boomer group create less, but consume at a higher rate, participating in cultural experiences and acquiring art.In a sign of the economic times, even though attendance ...

Today we issued a press release announcing the completion of a new study of Philadelphia's public art landscape. The text of the release follows: Philadelphia, PA - The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy announces the completion of a year-long study entitled Philadelphia Public Art: The Full Spectrum performed by PennPraxis , the clinical arm of the School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania, and funded by the William Penn Foundation .  The study was undertaken to assess how public art is currently commissioned, managed, and conserved by the City and other local public art organizations and to make policy recommendations on how to best utilize this tremendous resource relative to the city-wide goals of neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and the creative economy. “This study will be an essential tool as we develop a strategy for how to take what is arguably already the most extraordinary public art city in the country...

This is a second video that has Williams and Tsien demonstrating the model, and also shows a number of renderings.This is a wonderful way to come to understand and appreciate their design, I think, short of having them personally walk you through it. They did a very successful presentation earlier this week to a few hundred cultural and civic leaders, along with landscape architect Lori Olin. I think this design is about as good a solution to this challenge as is imaginable. The existing Barnes is a very special place, but I think this new facility will come pretty close to replicating that experience, or even (dare I say it) enhancing it, while at the same time making the collection much more accessible and accommodating more visitors, adding a new temporary exhibition gallery, more classroom and support space, an auditorium, and a beautiful landscape addition to the Parkway. If construction proceeds on schedule the building should be done by end of 2011 and ready to open to the publ...

Here is a video created for the Philadelphia Inquirer's Web site that has Tod Williams and Billie Tsien explaining their design for the new Barnes on the Parkway. A great way to see and understand the philosophy behind this extraordinary new building.

Well, it now looks like at long last Pennsylvania has a state budget deal, 100 days+ into the fiscal year. Still being worked out are the mechanics for how it will get approved and some minor differences between the House and Senate bills, but it appears to have support from the House, the Senate and the Governor, so barring any last minute glitches, it should be enacted, it is just a question of process and timing. The good news is that the arts tax is NOT in the budget.  However, none of the alternate taxes discussed (cigars, smokeless tobacco, natural gas) were included in the budget deal, so the final budget does include some significant cuts on the expense side. The total state budget is down by $500 million due to declining revenues, so needless to say that means many expenses are being cut. The arts areas of the state budget have been on a seesaw throughout this budget process, eliminated in one version, restored in another, cut severely in yet another. How did we end up...

Was able to pop in on the opening celebration of Design Philadelphia at Love Park last night. It was also the opening of The Welcome House , a very cool temporary art installation by artist Marianne Bernstein, and a project of First Person Arts in partnership with InLiquid . First Person Arts is an organization that for the past three years has been using the arts for public engagement. This is exactly the sort of project I would like to see much more of throughout the City. It is art that is temporary, of the highest quality, wakes people up and confronts/engages/delights them in the course of their daily routine. Last night's celebration of Design Philadelphia was also remarkable - a party whose participants ran the gamut from hipsters to the homeless. Minima, the gallery in Old City which specializes in contemporary furniture design, was able to arrange for the installation of an array of very sleek white outdoor furniture in the park, so for the run of this installation th...

So no sooner did we succeed in getting the bill passed in Harrisburg that averted the disastrous Plan C (on 9/17) than we were forced (the evening of 9/18) to face the sudden announcement that the budget agreement in Harrisburg included a new sales tax on arts and culture, an action that had received absolutely no discussion or debate beforehand. Surprise! So what exactly happened?  In Pennsylvania, like most states, arts activity admissions and tickets are exempted from sales tax. The budget deal in essence removed that exemption, which would impose the 6% state sales tax on all such revenue. Since Philadelphia has an extra 2% sales tax (or will, after the new 1% for five year tax is added) the local tax in Philly would be 8%. Another wrinkle - the state budget deal also eliminated the exemption for commercial entertainment activity such as concerts and commercial theatre. This would cover everything from small music clubs to major rock concerts. Since Philadelphia imposes a 5% ...

OK, maybe the title is a bit of a mouthful - how many buzzwords can we fit into one conference title? But this upcoming conference in Philly should be really worthwhile for anybody in the creative industries. Full disclosure: I am a little self-interested because 1) I have been serving on the steering committee for the summit, 2) it is in Philly, 3) I am speaking on a panel. The Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit 2009 features some great keynoters, including Elizabeth Gilbert , author of Eat, Pray, Love ; Peter Shankman , founder and CEO of The Geek Factory; Jane McGonigal , Director of Game Research and Development, Institute for the Future;and Randall Kempner , ED of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (part of the Aspen Institute). There are sessions geared towards creative economy entrepreneurs, as well as those more like myself who are looking at this issue more from a public policy and strategy perspective. There are a bunch of tracks, including one on the ...

The State House is scheduled to act this Thursday on the bill that would allow the City to close a $700 million gap in its five year budget. Without this action the City will be forced to implement the "Plan C" budget which would be crippling to the City on many fronts, and would effectively eliminate all City cultural programs. For those that have not been following this saga closely, the budget approved by the City Council and the Mayor required action from Harrisburg on two items - authority to raise the local sales tax by 1%, and some changes in the City's pension plan. The House eventually passed a bill - 1828 - that gave the City what it needed. The Senate then considered the bill and passed it with an array of amendments designed to rein in pension expenses throughout the state. That bill is what is now going back to the House. If the House passes it without amendment it will be signed by the Governor and the City's budget will be balanced. If the House passe...

I spent part of yesterday watching two huge sculptures by the artist Jun Kaneko be un-crated and erected in the courtyard of City Hall. Very exciting! The temporary installation of Kaneko's giant "Heads" at City Hall is part of a City-wide celebration that has been dubbed "On the Wings of Music: Art, Opera and You." Stimulated by the Opera Company of Philadelphia's production of Madama Butterfly, which opens on October 9th, a production with set and costume designs by Jun Kaneko, a quite extraordinary multi-faceted partnership has been created: * From now through 10/24 the two "Heads" will be facing off in the City Hall Courtyard. * Also through 10/24 five of the artists equally large and dramatic "dango" sculptures will be installed in Commonwealth Plaza of the Kimmel Center. * From now through April of 2010 the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be displaying four of the "dangos" at their Perelman building. * The fabri...

It was gently brought to my attention that in highlighting NxtUp Philly in a recent post, I had not really devoted much attention to the individual components of that initative. Let's start with Design Philadelphia 2009 . Design Philadelphia 2008 was happening right about the time I was starting my position last October, and I have to say it was a great introduction to the robust design sector in Philadelphia, as well as the City's ability to come together and make great things happen. This is largest event of its kind nationwide, and just blew me away. So what is it? Here is how they describe it: From October 7th to 13th 2009, over 125 diverse and dynamic exhibitions, lectures, building tours, book signings, open studios, runway shows, and workshops will take place in boutiques, galleries, museums, universities, warehouses and city streets, underscoring the impact creative industries are having on Philadelphia and the region. As the city evolves from its industrial pas...

Philly is not only home to a robust arts, culture and heritage sector. It also has a thriving creative economy. Coming up this fall is the Global Creative Economy Convergence Summit, Design Philadelphia, Ignite Philly Fashion Week, etc. NxtUp Philly brings together all these events and others with a 12-day calendar of events starting Oct. 5. It provides a showcase of creativity and innovation. Anyone in art, design, film, business, architecture, fashion, food, and any other creative field can post a program to the event calendar at http://www.nxtupphilly.com/. There’s no charge for listing. You’ll be able to preview and edit at later date if need be. The events calendar will go live on September 10th and be supported with advertising [City Paper], postcard and other promotions.If you enter your events in next three days they will be listed in a dedicated City Paper insert which will run Oct 1. So there are plenty of opportunities to extend the reach for free. The organizers for ...

Today's New York Times features not just one but TWO major stories highlighting Philadelphia culture.  This story  covers an array of less well known Philadelphia cultural organizations and spaces, including Fluxspace, and a new Mural Arts Program installation in West Philly called "Love Letters." It also celebrates our robust food scene, including the wealth of BYOBs. The other story is a review of the new Duchamp show at Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Mural Arts Project piece also got some nice coverage in the Wall Street Journal. I think these stories are a reminder of the work of national and international significance that is taking place in Philadelphia every day. It has become almost a stereotype that Philly locals don't appreciate what is in their own backyard. Attention like this from the outside helps to reaffirm our extraordinary cultural (and culinary arts!) assets. I suppose one of my advantages in doing my job is that in many ways I DO see Philadelph...

Welcome to my blog! Don't know where this will be take me, but thought it would be useful to (to me and perhaps to others) to periodically muse about the issues I am observing and grappling with. It is clear that arts and culture as a sector is especially challenged in our difficult economy. Our share of private philanthropy, after some years of slowly creeping back up after many years of decline, now seems to be slipping back down again. many funders are seeing the arts as less important given the crisis being faced by many human services areas facing their own huge challenges. But are we in part to blame for this situation?  Have arts organizations and arts leaders failed to make a persuasive "value proposition" case for what they do as having real social value?  Is it that the work itself is not resonating with the public as powerful and relevant?  Have we inappropriately equated "popular" with "pandering" and developed an attitude that is in fa...