PATRICIA FRISCHER, the coordinator of the San Diego Visual Arts Network, writes these occasional notes. You are invited to comment on them and all comments will be read. SDVAN has the ability to choose which comments to publish and anonymous comments will not be posted nor will links to commercial or spam sites. We are grateful to you for taking the time to read this blog and invite you join this mailing list or that of www.sdvisualarts.net
This month I am dedicating the A+ Art Blog to Carol Rogers who gave a TedX talk in Escondido about her volunteer efforts in October this year.
Her very impressive list of volunteer associations include: Museums and Arts Growing Escondido
Culture (MAGEC) Co-founder and Facilitator since 2016 Escondido Downtown Business
Association, Board Member from 2019 Esco Alley Art – Founding committee
member in 2021 Escondido Public Art Commission newly elected Chair but committee member since 2023 Escondido Community Foundation
Board Member 2024
Carol Rogers is a also a new board member of the North County Arts Network where she is on the Government support committee which advocates for paid arts administrations in all cities.
She is dedicated to bringing more attention to the arts in her community. Enjoy the talk below.
The City of San Diego draft Cultural Arts Master Plan has been released. This is the
first ever cultural plan for the city of SD and was led by Jonathon Glus over the last 18 months. The plan outlines four main goals, each with
specific strategies and actions:
1. Centering Artists: Support artists and cultural organizations through
affordable spaces, expanded funding, and capacity building. 2. Arts in Community: Increase access to arts and
culture throughout the city, with a focus on historically under-resourced
areas. 3. Creative Entrepreneurship: Foster growth of the creative
economy through business support, workforce development, and industry
partnerships. 4. Global Creative City: Elevate San Diego’s profile as
an international hub for arts, culture and creativity.
Some
of the strategies we appreciate include:
Expand
San Diego’s branding image to incorporate the arts, culture and creativity.
Create
a formal designation and support program for arts and cultural districts and
creative enterprise zones.
Expand funding
available for individual artists and Create artists fellowships or
residencies
Facilitate
targeted convenings,
Streamline
procurement and contracting processes
Expand
existing “culture pass” programs leading to free access
Julie
Dixon Evans
from KPBS adds to that list with the following strategies for funding: “The
"Penny for the Arts" policy, which allocates 9.52% of Tourism
Occupancy Tax revenue to art and culture; research and development of an
"admissions fee" for public/private entertainment and sporting
events; a foundation to lead funding efforts; …partnerships with the specific
goal of affordable housing for artists and affordable creative spaces…”.
All
of this calls for more staffing positions besides coordination with Park and
Rec and Libraries. There were lots of convening with the Commission , staff and with the public to complete this document and recommendations are still be accepted. It is hoped that the plan called Creative City will be approved by the City Council early in 2025.
Both Carlsbad and Oceanside have an approved up to date arts master plans and Encinitas has had one percolating for years. We would like to see all cities set these goals and have strategies to achieve them.
Don't miss the Creative City Open House on Sept. 7,
2024, at the Comic-Con Museum from 9 a.m. to noon to learn about the cultural
planning process. Mayor Todd Gloria will kick things off with opening remarks
and an overview of the draft cultural plan. The remainder of the morning will
be organized around informal conversations about the draft recommendations
where you can share input on the draft plan. Event details are available at
sdcreativecity.com under Get Involved.
The four-part series ofArts and Health Webinaris
presented by California for the Arts. The first one I am reporting on is
Health Benefits of Arts Engagement and the Importance of Involving Community Organizations
in Research.
Please note: It was important for me to understand the
difference between Arts Prescribing and Social Prescribing. Jill Sonke answered
my question as she explained in her text to me that there are five areas of
social prescribing: Arts &
Culture, Heritage, Nature, and Physical Activity. Much of the webinar
includes all these areas, but I tried to concentrate on Arts and Culture,
naturally.
The poet Ivory Rose set the stage for this
discussion on Social Prescribing with a specially commission work. Bringing a
little art into this talking head event was appreciated.
Alan Seigalrunsthe website Social
Prescribing USAwhich
has a mission to make social prescribing available to every American by 2035. He
divided the needs into crisis areas, Mental Health, Aging, Health Care, and Civic Capitol.
Art Prescribing can improve all these areas by reducing anxiety, depression,
PTSD, blood pressure, diabetes. By bolstering immune system, improving brain
cognition, managing pain, improving fine motor skills and coordination, developing
empathy, boasting confidence and identity, improving memory, increasing civic
engagement and social tolerance, lessen loneliness while increasing inclusion.
There are no side-affects with an art prescription. It is
cheaper than meds and has the extra benefit of dealing with many inequality
issues.
The plan is you still to go to your GP who refers you to a
social prescribing service and they then assess and direct you to the best
possible prescribing services by asking questions like: What matters to you?What brings you joy and meaning?
Seigal pointed out that in the beginning using the existing
health system is prudent as that is
where the money is now. But in the future, any trained person might advise am
art prescription.
Jill Sonkearea is research. You need evidence-based
policies if you are going to drive investment. She thinks we are on the cusp of
that happening in the next five years. Thirty countries already use social
prescription, lead mainly by the British. But there are 40 pilot projects in
the USA and out of 23 studies, 17 are for art prescribing. The next steps are
public awareness. Art
Prescription Field Guild can help with that.
Although we don’t know what form this will take in the USA,
system outcomes show that we gain in health equity, return on investment,
health system cost savings to name just some of the areas being explored. The
studies already show that older adults have 20% less chance of being depressed
if they engage in one art activity a month. This art for health push will
impact all the arts ultimately to increase participation.
Christina Eskridge gave
the last presentation. She started the Elevate Theater Company to
combine her interest in the art with training in health. They aim to create
space for audiences and artists to explore health and well-being through the
art of storytelling. She is also on the board of Arts for
EveryBody a national data gathering project. Take the survey to help them fulfill their
mission.
During the presentation there were a number of organizations
mentioned that have been working in this field. NOAP
National Organization in Arts in Healthis the grandfather of
thesebut all the links above plus the recent CA Art and Health Summit
2024 will be a real education for those wanting to know more.
I was only able to hear Elizabeth Markle, PhD,
Co-Founder/Executive Director from OpenSource Wellness. Her group set up a program with only experiential workshops.
Each one is geared to the people present as there is no set program, But the
concept is that the way forward is 1. Movement i.e. exercise, 2. Nourish i.e. diet, 3. Connect i.e. community, 4. Be i.e Stress
reduction. The arts can fit into all these categories. They already have proof
of concept which has helps with funding. Their clients has experienced a drop
in emergency visit, lower blood pressure, and a better rate of consuming fruits
and vegetables. They have been so
successful that they had to decide whether to spread the program nationwide, or
become trainers to the trainers. Knowing
how important local contacts are in the process the chose the education route
of Health and Wellness trainers. They
have been using the YMCA for this project development. I loved her description
of how to raise money to support all these efforts: Braided funding i.e.
interwoven at all levels.
In the third seminar on September
4th: Exploring Workforce Development for Arts & Health Initiativeswe learned
more about efforts in Scotland and Chicago but the info presented by Ping Ho
for the Arts and
Healing Initiative was the most stimulating and most local as it is out
of LA. There
program SEA (Social and Emotional Arts) was clear and repeatable with lots of
information on their website. There are one day workshops and certificate
programs. They not only train the trainers but have expanded to train some of
the youth to become leaders. None of the pilot and developed programs have yet
cracked the insurance payment hurdle, but the data now being gathered some
certainly help to push that forward.
Julie Baker from California for the Arts gave the steps to
take for an advocacy for Art Prescriptions using the messaging Artist are the
Second Responder. Legislature created to make April Arts and Culture month
using that message to re-enforce that artists are essential. CAC has made
health one of the 7 priorities of the organization. In 2024, introducing AB2250
to get insurance to pay for screening of art as a social determinant of health.
Steps for advocacy:
Plan your campaign
Create Awareness
Generate Engagement
Encourage Action
Sustain Momentum
So one last suggestion for everyone reading this: Start to talk up Art Prescriptions so we create a buzz on this subject.
Of course, it is best for you to watch the sessions for yourself. Here are the videos below:
In the last few years, I have seen proof that if you have a
vision and group together with like minded people, there is a distinct
possibility that vision will come to be.I have a list of those dreams like; the San Diego Visual Arts Network,
the San Diego Art Prize, the SD County
Commission for Arts and Culture, and the Pacific View Art Center. They are all
realities now.
Recently I realized that I have some new visions:
The county wide Arts and Culture Tourism Agency.
A cultural district designation for all the cities in our
county.
Paid full time art administrators in our all cities.
A push to have Art Prescriptions issued by doctors and paid
for by insurance companies
A line items for all the school district budgets adding transportation
for arts and culture field trips.
Affordable housing for artists.
I am not saying I will personally be working on all of
these ideas, but I do love to plant seeds in fertile ground. So maybe not in my
life time, but maybe for the good of the arts community, some of these visions
will come true.
Do you have a vision for arts and culture in San
Diego?Advocacy is all about putting
our voices together. I would love to
hear your voice.
In this hour lecture,
you can learn about all the Advocacy issues that are currently affecting the
arts in the county of San Diego. There is also a presentation of some of the
visual arts exhibitions on view in SD for the summer and fall of 2024. This is
presented by Patricia Frischer coordinator/founder of the San Diego Visual ArtsNetwork and Interim Chairman of North County Arts Network. The lecture was
video tapped at MiraCosta College in Oceanside by the LIFE Organization.
Advocacy issues covered are:
Civic Arts
Public Arts
Affordable Housing for Arts through Cultural District
Government Funding
Exhibitions areas covered are:
In North County Now
In Central San Diego Now
In the whole county for the summer
Future exhibitions to watch for in the fall
There is a particularly interesting question and answer period at the end of the lecture not to be missed.
Our own Rosemary KimBal working to save the cuts during her visit to Sacramento, CA.
Breaking new:Arts Advocates released the following statements after the legislature agreed to restore 75 percent of the recent cuts announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Yesterday, Speaker Rivas and Pro Tem McGuire announced an agreement on a legislative budget that restores $12.5 million in funding for the Equitable Payroll Fund and $5 million to the CAC.
Newsom had announced fully cutting the state’s innovative Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund ($12.5 million), plus a reduction of 38% in state grant funding for small arts nonprofits through the California Arts Council (CAC)on May 10 when he released his May Revised budget proposal.
The California Arts Council (CAC) has been in the news recently
because of possible 58% cuts in the budget of the organization. This was fully
discussed at a public
meeting on Friday, May 24 from noon to 4…yes four hours. Here are some of
the highlights.
The CAC seems to be against the recently
proposed possibility of being relocated within the Governor’s Office of
Business and Economic Development. (GoBiz) They want more information and want
to remain independent.
There has been no great explanation of why the move is proposed except to
consolidate expenses and a slight possible suggestion that this office would
give a higher profile to the CAC. This umbrella organization has other
commissions, but the only other arts one is the Film Commission. It was stated
that the CAC vision and mission would not be changed.
If this move does happen, then
having the budget cut at the same time seems counter intuitive. Being
acknowledged as part of economic development, then why would the arts not get
more funding instead of less?
Right now, CAC is an independent council and it is much more than just an
economic driver. There are health, education, and health benefits. Becoming
part of the Office of Business and Economic Development adds another layer of
administration that might slow down all the effectiveness of the organization. So,
the majority of the council stated that the move has to be researched more and should not a quick decision especially without the input of the Council itself.
Please note that the new San
Diego County Commission for Arts and Culture is also under a business and
economic development department here in our own county.
The cuts to the budget that are proposed are $10M reduction
in Local Assistance (grant programs)
plus a state wide cut of 7.9% for all administration cost.
The past budget was $27m with $10m taken away and a commitment
is already made for $6M for General operating grants, that leaves only $4m for
new grants.
There was a committee formed on the request of the state
staff to make suggestion of how to deal with this $10M loss. These kind of policy
decisions are made with rigorous regard to equity.
The suggestion was that general operating funds (GEN) grants
will be closed for Tier 2 and 3 (i.e. organization with budgets $250K to $1.5M).
Only tier one grants will be considered.
Instead, application for other types of grants will have the
deadline extended from June 6 to June 20. This is the give time for those who had submitted
GEN grant in tier 2 and 3 be able to rewrite them (with aid and guidance from
CAC) to other needs and programs.
There was large public input from many arts organizations in
person in LA (where this meeting of the CAC) was held and online. Many just cried loudly for the cuts not to be made. But the best one recommended not to make it easy for the cuts to
happen by accommodating those cuts!
So, when the CAC had to vote on the proposal to stop funding
tier 2 and 3, they voted 4 for and 4 against which means there was not a
majority so the proposal did not pass. Because it did not pass, they could not
vote on the extension of timing on the grants.
I
believe the issue is now in the hands of those who will urge for no cuts to the arts directly to the Governor. We will now have to be turning to CA for the Arts
for more information on advocating. Hopefully, our own SD Art Matters will be a leader for our county as they our regional arts advocacy organization.
Our own Rosemary KimBal working to save the cuts during her visit to Sacramento, CA.
The
Encinitas City Council approved two of Deanne Sabeck's glass and metal
sculptures in a meeting at the beginning of April. One will go at the entrance
to Oakcrest Park at 1219 Encinitas Blvd and the other at the southeast corner
of Newcastle Avenue and Liverpool Drive in Cardiff by the Sea, across the
street from the Cardiff Library. Both of these works, that were presented
anonymously to the public, got very high ratings. Another sculpture by Peter
Mitten was accepted for placement at the new Pacific View Arts Center that
will open later this year as well as Bunny Serenade
by Adrian Litman for the pad at Little Oaks Equestrian Park in
Olivenhain on Lone Jack Road.
But
two other sites will remain empty. The Encinitas Commission for Arts and
Culture chose other art works for these sites taking into consideration the
public comments and ratings, but the council deemed to decide for what might be
personal reasons, that these artists were not suitable, ignoring the
recommendation of their professional body of experts.
This
is not an isolated problem. Cities with no art master plans and cities with no
coherent public art plan often run into divided opinions about how art in the
public realm should be chosen and funded. We have seen examples of how major
works of art by renowned creators are turned away by cautious politicians who are
out of their league when judging art. The latest fiasco was in Del Mar when the
Isamu Noguchi’s sculpture worth half a million dollars was rejected.
Buying,
renting and accepting donated art works is a complicated puzzle. This entails
making sure that the artists are qualified, that the proposed work is
appropriate, and that the budget is acceptable. Outreach to the public for preference and
advice of experts has to be considered. Contracts have to be drawn up and
having the ability to work with artists and architects for completing the
creation, siting the work, and then lighting it and maintaining it are all
considerations. Remembering that art can be vandalized plays a part in the
decision.The County and City of San
Diego both have mandates for including a percentage of new construction and
larger renovation budgets for art. But working with non-profits to purchase
works is also an option.
There
are solid public art policies already created by other major cities so there is
no real need to re-invent the wheel in for public art. Luckily, we now have a
new San Diego County Arts and Culture Commission which has already started to
make recommendations on revising the public art policy county wide.Hopefully those new policies will trickle
down and be seen to be best practices by all the cities in our county.
Those
of us in the arts spend all of our lives looking at art and have a finely honed
sense of authenticity. That expertise is power and can be used for the good of
the community. We listen to health authorities and so please, in the arts, acknowledge
that expertise in the same way.
We
are also respectful of the efforts of artists who are an extremely important
resource for our communities. They not only bring aesthetic beauty and
challenging concepts, but economic growth and prosperity into our lives.
Finally,
we are not opposed to the public having input on public art for their
community. But this needs to be at the beginning of the process so that it can
be incorporated in the call for artists proposals. Let the art professional
make the final selections and set policy.
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, 77th District AB 812 PRO-ARTIST AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The new AB 812 bill approved Oct 11 by the governor and
authored by Tasha Boerner allows cities and/or counties to give up to 10% of
its very low, low, or moderate-income housing to eligible artists as long as
they are within one-half mile from a state-designated cultural district or
within a locally designated cultural district if certain income and occupation
conditions are met.
We asked Edwin Borbon, Legislative Director for the
office of Assemblymember Tasha Boerner to clarify a number of questions we
had. He gave me a very complete
explanation which helped me understand so much more clearly about AB 812. We
think this is valuable information especially as it clarifies that any city can
designate a cultural district. This does not have to be a state designation. And
that any city that wants to avail themselves of having artists present in their
low income housing projects, a known way to elevate the value of the area, can
avail themselves of this 10% advantage.
From Mr. Borbon, “The way it works in practice, is if a
city or county has a state or locally designated cultural district, under AB
812, the local government would first have to pass a local tenant preference
ordinance for artists within the boundaries of a locally designated cultural
district, or within one half-mile from a state designated cultural district.
Any deed restricted housing that is within those boundaries and is under the
purview of the local govt, either existing affordable developments or future
developments, would qualify for the 10% set-aside for artists.”
Yes, the city has to pass a local tenant
preference ordinance for artist.
“The local govt and housing development property management
would work together to create an Artist Selection Committee that would create a
process for artists preference criteria such as demonstrating consistent
participation in a creative art through contributions to their field, a resume
describing their art experience and/or education, and samples of recent work.
The Artist Selection Committee will be made up of artists of diverse
disciplines and backgrounds.”
The property management company will receive applications
for the artist preference, as well as the traditional housing application. The
property manager will then redact private information from the arts preference
application and set it aside for the Artist Selection Committee. These artistic
works will not be judged on content, but rather simply in support of qualifying
the applicant as an artist. Artists who meet income limits will be offered an
opportunity to live in the affordable housing development.”
Yes, the city has to create not only an artist
application, but also an artists Selection Committee. This is not based on the content of the art.
The income qualifications must match the income levels for
the affordable housing development so they still have to meet the same income
thresholds as all the other residents. When it comes to the eligibility
criteria, the income levels for affordable housing are outlined in state
statute (as defined in Sections 50079.5, 50093, 50105, and 50106 of the Health
and Safety Code), the occupational conditions would be determined by the local
city and property management company of the affordable housing development.”
No, the artist do not have different income
requirement. But up to 10% of the housing can be given to qualifying artists.
We in the art world who have been pushing for more
affordable housing for artists should be thrilled with this bill and grateful
to Tasha Boerner. Now it is up to the cities in our county to move forward.
Patricia Frischer was chosen as a Woman of Impact for Arts and Culture by Tasha Boerner. Below is the utube of the speeches for that presentation. Skip ahead to minute 18 for my arts and culture presentation. And don't miss the tear inducing one by Dr. Ayana Boyd King at minute 29. It was a super inspiring afternoon.
All the award recipients! Left to right: Staff Sergeant Debora Rodriguez Caryn Blanton, Dr. Ayana Boyd King, Andrea Schlageter, Dt. Danielle Haulsee, Assemblymember Distict #77 Tasha Boerner, Denise Friedman, Dana Bristol-Smith, Patricia Frischer, Gaby B. Love, Bella Villarin.
Text of Speech by Patricia Frischer, founder, San Diego Visual Arts Network
I was born in Kansas City but arrived here from London 27 years ago. I could find no directory for the arts. That is why created the San Diego Visual Arts Network now listing 2500 visual arts resources from Fallbrook in the north to and including Baja Norte. We have a full events calendar, a gossip column (cause who doesn’t want the inside scoop), reports on Art exhibitions and advocacy issues.
We have curated many large visual arts projects like the Movers and Shaker… 90 Art VIPs…. not one turned down the chance to have their portrait created and the DNA of Creativity with 5 teams of artists, scientists, teachers and documenters …a magnificent exhibition at OMA.
We are most proud of the SD Art Prize, our ongoing award for excellence in its 17th year. Watch for it at the SD History Center in Balboa Park in the fall.
We are delighted to have played a part in the reforming of the SD County Wide Commission for arts and culture which we stumped for…it took 15 years and is announcing its brand-new strategic plan in April which is arts and culture month in the state of CA.
Thank you so much for this honor which recognizes the $1.4 billion dollar arts and culture industry. This is our huge economic impact on employment and tourism. Kudos to Tasher Boerner for creating the AB812 which mandates affordable housing for artists near cultural districts. Every city should have a designated cultural district.
How do we do this with no bricks and mortar, and no paid staff? No, I am not the little women behind the curtain AKA the wizard of OZ. It is done with a ton of volunteers and community involvement, friends and family, county and private foundations.
We believe that the San Diego Visual Arts Network is a powerful force to connect Art to People and People to Art
We believe that artists serve as interpreters, explorers, and creators of the great unknown
We believe your life is an artwork, a mess, a makeover and magnificent
We believe most of all that Art Builds Community.
Congratulation to all the ladies receiving this impact award. I am honored to be one amongst many.
Front Porch Gallery, in
collaboration with Surfing Madonna Oceans Project is holding the fourth
annual Save the Ocean art and poetry exhibition through
Feb. 29, 2024. In conjunction with this exhibition, a Ekphrastic Poetry
Writing and Collage Workshop was held. That means the poetry is inspired by a work of art and
that part of the workshop was led convincingly by Dr. Marit Anderson. Cathy
Carey, the new Director of the Front Porch Gallery, led the collage
component.
I went to this workshop to gain insight on how I might use this technique for brainstorming sessions especially for board retreats and happy to say how successful it was at a recent one I participated in with the Encinitas Friends of the Arts board. We kept in mind our goals to rethink our vision statement. Made collages and choose words to describe them. We forced those words into a sentence and from that sentence the group discussed the most important element revealed. Tapping into the subconscious to think outside of the box really does work!!!
Dr. Marit Anderson in front of Chery Tall's Zephyr
Dr.
Anderson actually has a degree in Human Behavior (not English or Poetry) and
was full of quotes like my favorite one from Albert Einstein, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” She asked
all to use all of our senses; vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell and mind
(that would include imagination and memories.)
Cathy Carey - Birch Aquarium
Cathy
Carey gave us open encouragement to us all sorts of materials besides magazine images
including adding colored papers, paints,
pens, or even 3-d items. We could go completely abstract, surreal or even use
the collage as mosaic to create a realistic illusion.
The
advantage of this exercise, is not only that you look more closely at the work
of art, but you get insights into your own emotions and feelings. The
exhibition was to showcase the fragility of our environment, but actually each artist
made their own statement and I found the show more upbeat than educational and
more lively than alarming. The same was true of the poetry created in the
workshop.
Mac Hindenbrand - The Hawaiian Chain of Wood
Mac Hindenbrand -The Hawaiian Chain of Wood (detail)
The
work I personal choose to explore was byMac Hindenbrand. TitledThe Hawaiian Chain of Wood it is a grained piece of wood with inlays
or many other woods depicting the string of Hawaiian Islands. I added a word
for each of those senses which included silence, salt, smooth, fresh and
conversation in my first pass. Looking
longer I came up with grain, punctuation, curves, illusions, lapping and
travel.
Silent Conversations
Fresh and salty thoughts
Smooth my day
Constantly lapping curves
Traveling illusions
Punctuate the sands of time.
Thinking of those words, I cut out what I thought were
random images, but my hand was definitely guided by the poetry. Here is the
collage I created.
Patricia Frischer - Silent Conversation
That in turn produced this set of sense words: warm,
rhythm, absorbent, bumpy, ancient, adventures. Then, the poem produced was:
Bumpy rhythms signal
warm adventures which
are absorbed into antiquity.
Can I apply this to the subject of the exhibitions? For me, I can say that the
current warming climate, even earthquakes can be seen not just as a threat, but
as adventures which will eventually become recorded as another cycle of life of
our planet.
Going back to the first poem:
Silent Conversations
Fresh and salty thoughts
Smooth my day
Constantly lapping curves
Traveling illusions
Punctuate the sands of time.
We need to think deeply and completely about our environment
if we are to meet its challenges. Seeing things we thought were false that are
not, and vice versa while looking backward to find repeating patterns.
Or it could all just be a bunch of hooey!
Dr. Marit Anderson facilitates the Awaken the Poet Within meetings the 2nd
and 4th Saturdays of the month at the Encinitas Library Study Room
noon to 2 pm. A virtual session is the 1st Saturday of the month.
Email: drmartyanderson@sdcglobal.net
for more info. and meeting links. Katie Wade, the Senior Director of Creative Engagement tells us that The
Front Porch Gallery, through these new workshops, is offering creative
engagement for the community with hands-on making, discussions and new ways to
look to enhance longevity and enjoyment of life.
The Front Porch Gallery: 2903 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008 Open: Wed – Fri 11 to 5, Sat noon to 4
The big question is always how do I get funding or help for
my cause? Although the answer is often “get involved”, the feeling is often ‘why
weren’t we asked?”.
So I am going to spell it out here. To get involved you
have to volunteer your time, energy or even some in-kind service. You don’t wait
to be asked. You seek out opportunities to collaborate. When you volunteer you
meet other committee members and volunteers and you get to really know them if
you make an effort. You can then start to create a network of advisors and
supporters.
You find out about volunteer opportunities and calls for by
reading newsletters and social media. So you have to sign up for those from
groups that interest you and you have to actually read those newsletters. (like the twice monthly SDVAN message: sign up now if
you have not done so). But you don’t have to
wait for a call for volunteers/artists, you can suggest a gap that you see that
you could fill. You could have a vision for a strategic plan. You could write
up a report for use in a grant. You could curate am exhibition. You might even
be able to collaborate with that organization to do a joint grant.
And I am not talking about just arts organizations, but
also civic agencies and not even just arts commissions but maybe public safety
commissions or planning commissions. You could join the local tourist
association or the chamber of commerce.
This all takes time and effort, and you have to be willing
to give in order to get. Never wait to be asked or you will end up asking, "Why
weren’t we asked?”
Get involved and float your own boat on the rising tide.
