The outlook for federal support of the arts is not encouraging.
The start of the Trump administration saw mass resignations from the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The National Foundation on the Art and Humanities closed its program of grants to underserved communities and exhibitions across the country were canceled.
Almost all funding for federal agencies responsible for arts and culture has been cut. Now all arts organizations in San Diego and other cities are scrambling for donations.
The good news, if one can look at the world this way, is that the absence of leadership in the arts at the federal level shifts the responsibility to uphold creativity and inclusion to our cities and communities.
As nations, states and cities reinvent themselves for a vastly different economic landscape, embracing creativity and innovation is no longer optional — it’s essential.
Fortunately many cities and some states are paving the way to the new creative economy because they know that a dynamic system that fuels growth by harnessing the power of imagination, innovation and culture is the pathway to future jobs, wealth and wellbeing.
San Diego for example, officially launched a cultural planning process called “A Creative City” in an effort “to capture the power of our many traditions, ecologies, and creative capital to propel our city and trans-border region forward as a more equitable place of inspiration and prosperity. “
City planners, including Jonathon Glus, director of the Commission for Art and Culture, described this effort as creating a future for San Diego “where art and culture advance the dialogue, development and diversity of our city. Residents of San Diego, the greater metropolitan area, and the multiple nations that call this region home are encouraged to lend your voices and vision as artists, culture workers, and creatives defining our future as a dynamic global city.”
San Diego’s plan looks promising and is impressive.
Other communities have made similar investments in the human and financial resources necessary to equip their citizens with the skills and mindset needed to navigate a rapidly evolving, knowledge-driven world. These cities know that a creative community cultivates vibrant cultural spaces that attract and retain the talent necessary for innovation.
Ed Lee, former mayor of San Francisco, once said, “Cities today are the engines of the greatest surge in innovation, creativity and problem solving in human history … and cities that think of themselves as platforms will become stronger, attract better talent and become smarter from the bottom up.”
In today’s economy, success is no longer measured solely by industrial output or financial markets. Innovation is the new currency. But to foster innovation, we need creativity.
Rebuilding any city — from housing and infrastructure to education and energy systems — is a massive undertaking. But creating a knowledge city or a creative community is just as complex. To succeed in the creative economy, we must rethink urban design, education and community engagement.
Theresa Cameron, a former program manager at Americans for the Arts, argues that one way to serve a community is by forming arts and culture districts. Such districts filled with art galleries, theaters, music venues, public performance spaces, restaurants, cafés, and retail shops can serve as incubators for creativity and magnets for talent. These vibrant environments foster the kind of innovation that cities need to remain competitive in the modern economy.
Cities must take action to:
Empower citizens to take ownership of their communities. Build world-class broadband infrastructure to support digital and creative industries. Revamp education systems to prepare the next generation for careers in the creative economy.These ingredients are crucial for attracting the bright, inventive minds who will generate new patents, design innovative products, and develop the marketing and financial strategies to bring them to market. Embracing the creative economy is not just about fostering a flourishing arts scene — it’s about securing our economic, social, and political dominance in the 21st century. Innovation and creativity are the driving forces behind new industries, world-changing technologies, and the jobs of the future.
The message is clear: If we fail to adapt, we risk being left behind. But if we embrace creativity, we can build a future defined not by economic stagnation, but by endless possibilities.
John Eger is professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University. Previously, he served as legal assistant to FCC Chairman Dean Burch, telecommunications adviser to President Gerald R. Ford, and senior vice president of CBS Worldwide Enterprises.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Opinion: As Trump ends support for arts, cities must take the initiative )
Also on site :