ruah arts group

Claim your place.

I used to receive Art in America (obtained by my eager to inspire husband for free from some sort of internet deal). While it was good to have an awareness of the contemporary art world in America–to know what exhibits were open, what great works were on auction, etc.–I generally disregarded the magazine for it’s vulgarity of artistic formation and conscience, and its gross secularity. No regard for the vast history of art, or the religious origins of the Masters.

However, this is all an opinionated preface to say I heard about a little art competition through the mag, and thought somebody might be interested to know. “Claim your place” states the advert with an empty art exhibit frame. Judged categories include colored pencil, art markers, graphite/ charcoal, pastels, mixed media, and cartooning. You could win up to $5,000. For more information go to www.prismacolor.com.

If you don’t read the ArtsJournal daily digest of arts and culture news, you should. A friend who’s a Bolz Center Arts Admin grad, recommended I check out an arts management blog, The Artful Manager, by Andrew Taylor.

Today’s blog entry is a diplomatic (d)evaluation of the Kennedy Center’s new national recession support initiative, “Arts in Crisis.” Arts in Crisis, or AIC for short (pronounce it “ache”–it fits the recession ambiance), isn’t so much a bail out as a hand up. For some.

Though the Washington Post article says the initiative is for arts organizations, it’s actually performing arts organizations which means, “Hey, VSA Arts, we love your artwork, but unless you clients can dance, sorry.”

Which is precisely Mr. Taylor’s point. The initiative, the web site, the web site video, the Washington Post piece (and very nice portrait, Mr. Michael M. Kaiser); it’s all very nice, but it’s not THE answer. Not even close. Mr. Taylor posits,

“The crisis in the arts, or any other industry, is an ecological one. Any crisis can certainly benefit from unilateral and independent action. But a more resilient and encompassing response would also include recognition and interconnection of the entire ecosystem that provides coaching, counseling, mentorship, and responsive strategy support to organizations and leaders at the edge of collapse.”

Sounds great, Taylor. Does Bolz Center have a GP? Perhaps. But that’s the point. We’re all supposed to have a hand in the GP for Arts & Cultural Survival in an era of non-profit and philanthropic downsizing. Where shall we begin?