PDX Art Forum feature: "Creative Capacity" with Sam Adams

2008-10-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Richard-

Enjoyed speaking with you and look forward to continuing the conversation.
Had a brief look at your blog- really enjoyed what you writing about. And will keep reading.

Let's talk soon. Meanwhile- my website address is below, and you can see my most recent show online at http://www.markwoolley.com/.

It is inspiring to meet another artist committed to community
and creating a better world.

Here are some of the points we talked about.

Our group spoke about Goal #3
of the Creative Capacity Action Plan.

We expanded on the points outlined-

1. With regard to developing live/work spaces for artists, we spoke about expanding these spaces to benefit all kinds of artists including dancers, musicians, writers, and also having collaborative rehearsal spaces.

2. For networking, we spoke about forming an artist database- Dex Online for artists- a way to find each other- all disciplines. And include a way to share equipment and materials, rent it from each other, pass it on, or sell and buy. We also talked about this database being a way to connect so we could meet in person.
I would add that artists meeting in small groups in roundtable type settings and having conversations is a great way to build community and inspire our work, as well as be aware of what other artists are doing.

3. With regard to increasing purchasing local art and creative talent, we talked about having a thorough regional archive of artists' work, including all types of artists. Also- reinstating the Biennial. And tying into what is already being done to promote artists in the area- such as cultural tourism.

4. We spoke about subsidizing artists' materials, and creating more fellowships for artists.
We also added a fifth point which looks at creating tax incentives for artists, and incentives for those purchasing art.

For me, anytime people get together to discuss art, appreciate art, share ideas about art, and how to strengthen the role of art in all our lives, makes for time well spent. I also look at art in terms of living an artful life- bringing meaning and intention to all aspects of life. The art of community, the art of conversation, gardening, cooking, and so on. So creativity becomes a quality that enriches all we do.

Best,

Tamara
TAMARA ENGLISH STUDIO
http://www.tamaraenglishstudio.com/

Portland PDX Art Forum: "Creative Capacity" overview of meeting; part 1

2008-10-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a summary from the "Invest - Supporting Local Talent" 3b group.>

The Discussion Draft called for:>

Goal #3 Invest: Support Local Talent>

1. Develop low-cost, work/live & work space for artists.>

2. Create opportunities to network with other artists and art supporters.>

3. Increase the purchase of local art and creative talent.>

4. Develop a revolving loan program for artists' materials and> transportation on signed contracts for goods and services.>

5. [Not defined in discussion draft.]> > > Our group started with two basic intentions:>

1. Clarify the language of each targeted and measurable recommendation for> action, and>

2. Prioritize these actions to best serve the community and allocate> potentially limited resources.> > > Revised 5 targeted and measurable recommendations for action:> >

1. Celebrate ALL Artists> [formerly:

4. Develop a revolving loan program for artists' materials and> transportation on signed contracts for goods and services.]>

Remove any / all barriers or pre-requisites so that all resources are open>
to all artists throughout the humanities.

This includes typical fine +> applied artists [painting, sculpture, dance, film, etc.] plus the formerly> considered edge artists [poetry, architecture, industrial design, etc.]> > >

2. Basic Necessities> [formerly: 1. Develop low-cost, work/live & work space for artists.]>

Find ways to assist artists with covering the essentials: Food, Space to> live, work, collaborate, storage, and healthcare.>

Businesses could make in-kind donations of art supplies, tools, 'rental> credits', 'meal' credits, etc.> [i.e., Utrecht could donate 1,000 paint brushes to the city, which would> be minimal for the company, but a make a huge impact upon the creation of> future works by artists.

Similarly, markets and restaurants could have a> 'point-of-purchase' program to allow customers to contribute $2 to a fund> that is then available to artists in need.]> > >

3. Collaboration and Critical Dialogue> [formerly: 2. Create opportunities to network with other artists and art> supporters.]> [This new focus also touches upon the formerly delineated "

4. Develop a> revolving loan program for artists' materials and transportation on signed> contracts for goods and services".]> Developing upon #2 Basic Necessities, we need to create ways to strengthen> the community.> Artist communities such as Mile Post Five, Everett Station Lofts, and the> Falcon Art Community are excellent examples.

We should work with such> property developers on more spaces, and continue to support these existing> communities.> > Events on both a local and international level will allow local artists to> flourish, learn, and connect with a global community.>

Local events are a way to both network with other artists and patrons in> the community.> Thank you for creating "Art Spark".>

Larger international events are a way to both draw tourists and patrons to> the area, plus a way to bring international artists to the area for> exhibitions, residencies, etc. [PICA's T:BA festival, and the "Affair at> the Jupiter Hotel" are good examples, but there are many others around the> world from which we may learn and participate.]>

The area has a 'provincial' reputation. So a 'critical' dialogue is> necessary to strengthen the perception of local work within the> inter/national context.

We need to not only solicit international> critics, but to make sure that once they are reviewing the work that it> holds its own.]> > >

4. Professional Development> [formerly: 5. Not defined in discussion draft.]> It is our group's belief that while as unlimited funding would be> delightful, it is not a reasonable expectation.> Therefore, we would recommend to focus limited resources in a manner that> will be a stepping stone to a much large pool of resources.> >
Re-assess programs and processes to focus upon assisting artists, and not> creating hoops to jump through that expend limited staff resources.> Instead of parceling out limited funds for a number of small grants, focus> these funds on teaching artists how to apply to international funding> sources, and help them create professional materials for such> applications.

RACC and other agency staff would focus more upon being> teachers, then reviewers of materials. Such programs / resources are> already in existence, but limited due to other staff job assignments.> [Metaphor: One cannot feed a city with three loafs of bread.

But, if one> baker can survive by eating those limited resources, they could then teach> others how to bake, and where/how to get ingredients to allow each new> 'baker' to sustain themselves and potentially others in the community.]> >
Secondly, leverage our limited funds to create a number of 'matching fund'> programs with other cities around the world for exchange programs for> residencies, exhibitions, lectures, etc. [i.e., if Minneapolis pays for a> local artist to exhibit / lecture in their city, we will pay for one of> their artists to come here.

It is not a dollar for dollar exchange, but> rather based upon in-kind donations from local hotels and other> businesses, with a limited amount of cash reserves.] Some cities have> what is called a "Suitcase" fund for just such exchanges, cultural> ambassadors, residencies, etc.> >

Current grant funding cycles do not allow for the fluidity of the creative> process and external schedules mandated for exhibition, performance,> publishing, etc. [This is about removing barriers to assist artists how> they need it and when they need it.]

It is recommended to have limited> funds available, not as grants, but as micro-loans which need to be paid> back [with very low or zero interest].
These funds would be available at> any time, but only for modest amounts.
This forces an artist to both be> responsible, and to give them heightened drive to make the work of art a> 'success'.
It fosters an interest in 'believing' in artists and the> potential of their future, instead of 'hand-outs' based upon ability to> fill-out an application properly.
Such funds would recycle to another> artist in perpetuity after being repaid.> >

Lastly, it was felt that if grants were still to be distributed, that they> are merit based and upon current 'new works'.> Basically, instead of an artist applying for a grant, RACC or other staff> would attend exhibitions, lectures, performances, etc and make> recommendations to fund future work by extraordinary artists.

This frees> up staff from application review to be actively part of the community, act> as a critical voice, and puts the emphasis upon creating works of art, not> on creating paperwork.> > > > 5. Patronage of "New Works"> [formerly: 3. Increase the purchase of local art and creative talent.]>

The purchasing of a work of art might seem to be a material concern,
but> in reality it is an investment in the future of the artist.

The monies> from the sale of a work, or tickets to a performance, allow the artist to> attend to basic necessities [food / clothing / shelter / art materials]> a
nd create new works of art.

It is this development of "New Works" that> should be the focus, not on the sale of existing or archived works from> the past.
This will help foster a culture for life-long pursuit of> artistry.> > > >

talking points

provided by

Fredrick H. Zal Architect Sculptor Advocate

www.fhzal.com/works

Welcome to PDX Art Forum

2008-10-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

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PDX Art Forum feature: "Creative Capacity" with Sam Adams

Portland PDX Art Forum: "Creative Capacity" overview of meeting; part 1

Welcome to PDX Art Forum