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

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...