For Anderson #2 - Using the Arts 4/23/2010

 Remember Lawler's Florentine City concept? Remember how it fizzled like a deflated balloon? I want to say there was a merit to the idea - even if as presented it was completely screwed up.

First, let me explain what was wrong with the idea as presented. Renaissance Florence did not become rich because of its arts, but got its arts because it was rich. Florence decorated itself with frescoes and statues to show off its history and leading lights and its wealth. 

Second, the proposed artist colony had no organic connection to the city.

So what is the good in the idea? Arts tourism could work with the proper management and marketing - especially the marketing. More about this in a moment. Secondly, it could foster Anderson as a community. Whether because of almost fifty years of more than one high school, Anderson never felt like a whole unit - as a unified community. What I have in mind might do so, but probably not as much it would have when I first considered the idea. This idea has been a long time gestating. Something I never made public. Not got time for shyness now.

Starting with knitting the City closer and then expanding to the tourism idea:

1. An arts competition for the school kid, K - 12. All work displayed at City Hall, or other location. Each grade from all schools to be exhibited at the same time and place. Judging and awarding prizes will, I think, be more appropriate for high schoolers than those younger.
2. Amateur, adult residents. Make this contested, openly displayed, and bring in judges from Ball State and IUPUI art schools.
3. The real tourism thing. Go look at the area west of Main Street, just north of 10th Street. We have a mural that has been there for ages now. Go look at how many walls could receive similar treatment. Go speak with the banks to found a prize. Make the contest open by certain spaces to any resident of Indiana. They must supply plans. The plans must first pass a panel of experts before being voted on by the public. Turn the artists loose.

I think 2 and 3 could be managed at the same together. I do not think that 1 & 3 should go together. Let the kids have the spotlight to themselves.

Make sure that The Paramount is involved here A film festival? Bring film into the mix? Or maybe The State will be open (will The State be open before I am again a free man?), and there could be two film festivals running at the same time.

But the thing must be marketed to work, and it must be thought of running for years before it takes hold. Still, what a great way to show off Anderson and the talents of its citizens!

sch

[It feels good to see that one's ideas are not alone. I have no desire to be a prophet howling in the wilderness. More importantly, no way anyone in my intended audience for the above message will listen to anything too close to the border, anything that requires standing up with an original idea, or even any idea that is not safe. News from came in today out of Fort Wayne, Meet the faces behind the art bringing life to spaces in downtown Fort Wayne:

“I think Fort Wayne is a great example of a city that’s embracing art and transforming itself,” Ballinger said.

The most recent creation added downtown is the Unity Mural. For more than a month, two artists have been at work on the piece- almost 4,000 square feet- at the railroad underpass near Promenade Park and The Landing. A dedication for the piece takes place during the Art Crawl.]