Art Brings Out the Invisible: Lessons for American Cities
THE ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB
I just read a review of a newly released book in India illustrating how the Arts put a spotlight on the lives of people ignored by those with the prejudices of wealth and power. "Through art and visual imagery of political and aesthetic expressions, it leads us through myriad social and cultural practices in a world dominated by the prejudices of untouchability and the social tensions experienced by Dalits, and their popular articulations, in order to overcome the injustices of the caste system." It made me think about our American debate about the Arts: social vs. economic impact. Admittedly, I see this debate through the 2001 lens of the City of Cincinnati, a city set-aflame for reasons of social indifference.
Until that point, the driver for arts funding in the city had little to do with community building, pride or social impact but after the riots of 2001, these have become the primary drivers of a process where over $12 million is awarded annually to local arts groups. It's a model for how the Arts can transform communities. In contrast, this week, the mayor of Carmel, Indiana a wealthy suburb of Indianapolis proposed $700K in grants for 14 arts groups for purely "economic development," and the week before he lured away the Hoosier Salon Gallery from economically diverse Indianapolis. Which is the more vital role that the Arts play in your community? Is it to entertain the wealthy or to transform everyday lives?
By TAHLIB
I just read a review of a newly released book in India illustrating how the Arts put a spotlight on the lives of people ignored by those with the prejudices of wealth and power. "Through art and visual imagery of political and aesthetic expressions, it leads us through myriad social and cultural practices in a world dominated by the prejudices of untouchability and the social tensions experienced by Dalits, and their popular articulations, in order to overcome the injustices of the caste system." It made me think about our American debate about the Arts: social vs. economic impact. Admittedly, I see this debate through the 2001 lens of the City of Cincinnati, a city set-aflame for reasons of social indifference.
Until that point, the driver for arts funding in the city had little to do with community building, pride or social impact but after the riots of 2001, these have become the primary drivers of a process where over $12 million is awarded annually to local arts groups. It's a model for how the Arts can transform communities. In contrast, this week, the mayor of Carmel, Indiana a wealthy suburb of Indianapolis proposed $700K in grants for 14 arts groups for purely "economic development," and the week before he lured away the Hoosier Salon Gallery from economically diverse Indianapolis. Which is the more vital role that the Arts play in your community? Is it to entertain the wealthy or to transform everyday lives?
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