STATEMENT

Building Community through the Arts

Building community through the arts has been a lifelong passion of mine.  As a volunteer, arts advocate and arts professional, I have seen first-hand the effort, commitment and generosity it takes to produce events that bring community together.  The relevance of building community through the arts has been noted in various articles and promotional materials as an important element to maintaining the vitality of our downtown core.  Among them, the Eugene arts scene was featured in a March 2005 issue of Sunset Magazine that included the opening of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, the Oregon Festival of American Music, the Oregon Bach Festival, and other arts organizations that make Eugene a great place for the arts. (Henderson, 2005)

The beauty of building community through the arts allows collaborations among our arts organizations to produce meaningful art programs and exhibits.  Art galleries and local businesses participate in the year-round First Friday Art Walks, the summer arts festivals, and other venues that promote local artists and craftspeople. Local cafés regularly exhibit locally produced art items for sale.  Public art is abundantly displayed throughout the City.  Talented local artists, whose work is exhibited in galleries throughout the country, offer art classes in many of our arts centers.  These activities require financial support.

In addition to building community, investment to the economic potential in promoting Eugene as an “arts town,” as an artistic and cultural tourist draw, would enhance our profile.  Eugene has a rich history of arts and culture that can be featured through its music, dance and theatre, visual arts, and architecture.  If all of the elements for an enriching culture experience are in place, Eugene could very well become a desireable long-standing annual destination.  

With continual support and visionary leadership, we can nurture and maintain partnerships with all the cultural centers in our area and support organizations that enhance the educational and aesthetic values and provide meaningful arts, culture and outdoor experiences.  Ongoing investment in the arts, culture and the outdoors enhances our quality of life and contributes to the vitality of our core.   Together, we can sustain these lofty goals.  Together, we have the potential to sustain a healthy, vibrant and beautiful community, through investment in our local arts. (Jordan, 2004)

References

Henderson, B. (2005, March 2005). New Scene in Eugene. Sunset, 27-32.
Jordan, M. A. (2004, November 17, 2004). Arts thrive despite constraints. Register-Guard, p. 1.