In attend:

Bruce Bailey (new)

Vytas Sakalas

Susan Silverman

Rebecca Olsen

Michael Schwartz

Jodi Netzer

(Karen and Lin said they could not attend)

Intros:

Agenda:

Art Party

Legislative Updates

Next Meeting – July 27th 6-8 PM location TBA

Legislative Update:

Stimulus money is here

MS is submitting his requests and other’s right now. Decisions are being made presently.

http://az.gov/recovery/

http://serve.gov/

Serve.gov is a good place for advocacy for artists to list success stories and aligning ourselves with volunteer opportunities.

ACA has announced awards statewide.

MS is meeting with ProNeighborhoods to try and help integrate arts into their projects.

Community Paint days (2) were done in association with Bronx Wash mural project – something coming up in the Weekly about it probably.

Arts Party

8/21 Friday is the date  doors 7, start at 8 – Creative City Tucson Art Party

Teaming with Parasol Project (Tony)

Objectives: Get everyone to next meeting for different primary volunteers

1) Interactive Canvas (Tony will bring canvas)

2) List of materials (drop clothes) Blog page with requests – tony

3) Music and start of Parasol coordination

4) Markers are less messy – no drop clothes necessary – (Rebecca will ask Gibsons) (Vytas – Sarnoff)

5) People could lie down and be drawn around and colored in.

6) Spoken word, little vignettes

7) Jordan Hill can possibly coordinate spoken word (Susan)

Stilters to draw attention 7-8?

9) Vaudevillian intermissions

10) Puppet Uprising – Puppetworks Reunion? (TN-puppetworks)

11) Selling of artists and musicians work?

12) Arts store? (Tony will Lin)

13) Event is dedicated to self-perpetuation

14) Formation of a Association

15) Next meeting at Tom and Leia’s? (Tony)(Nail down location)

16) Graphical projects: logo, spruce up website (c0lors), flyer description of CC, blown up version of that for event, buttons, shirts, (screen on demand?),

17) Rebecca can help with web and graphics, and copy editing

18) Tony and Jodi will work on logo

19) Marketing event… Rochelle Diaz? TuScene? (Susan)

20) Input on future events (easel?)

21) Popcorn? Candy? Waters? (Tony will talk to Curtis) (Hang cut outs on wall?)

22) TUSD Butcher paper? (Vytas) (CheapJoes.com)(dickBlick.com)

23) Paint table (Michael)

Creative City Meeting Notes (draft)

6/1/09

Central Arts Gallery

In attend: Tony Novelli (note taker); Jodi Netzer; Therese Perrault; Patrick McArdle; Rebecca Olson; Irene Janulis; Michael Schwartz; Josh Schachter; Susan Silverman; Garland Saunders

(these notes will be summaries… 8 pages! I’m not volunteering next time! -tn)

(NOTE: JUST ADDED A CONTACT FORM PAGE TO MAKE IT EASY PEASY TO GET IN TOUCH!!  http://creativecity.org/?page_id=84)

Website Update

Tony and Jodi recapped their meeting together and with Tim Bowen of Creative Slice regarding website development. During their pre-meeting, they identified the need to change Wordpress themes, possible site capabilities, looked at other examples, etc.

With Tim they showed some example sites, including:

www.philadelphiadance.org

www.theateralliance.org

The former is a conglomeration of templates grabbed from other sites, which together offer an impressive number of desirable features, like:

• Membership Directory
• Services Listing
• Online Open Box Office (where *any* community event can sell tickets)
• Discussion areas
• Event Calendars
• Workshop Calendars
• more… (Jodi, feel free to edit)

The discussion centered on what needs we had and the best technology or strategy to move forward to fulfill those needs. Most of what this model offered could be accomplished with some WordPress assistance and development of a Google Group, and possibly multiple Google Calendars. Tony has added an event calendar and a membership plugin, though he’s still learning how to use them

NOTE: for event postings – 1. Go to create a new post; 2. Select the category “Events”; 3. At the bottom of the page, there is a section under the ‘Event Editor’ heading. Select the beginning and end date and time. The time is in military format, at least for now, but doesn’t take too long to figure out. Feel free to check it out and experiment.

Continuing… Ultimately we would likely want to move to a site powered by the Drupal content management system. More powerful than WordPress, and capable of handling all of the dream ideas for the site, it will be a sizable investment of a few thousand dollars. Most likely it will be worth while to experiment with different kinds of content to figure out what and whether it is cost-efficient to switch to this solution sooner or later. In the mean time we will likely be able to achieve most of our needs with a maximum of $2,000 of investment in WordPress support. This would include customized theme generation to math our yet-to-be-developed logo/design themes, and probably enough for a year of support and administration.

Tony and Jodi graciously accepted Rebecca’s offer of support, and will provide questions on content and suggestions for feedback in the next meeting or two. it is acknowledged that the Arts Party may dictate the development path in the near term, largely addressing marketing and organizational identity.

Additional sites to peruse:

www.storiesforchange.org

www.thousandkites.org

All are encouraged to send site links we would like to include on the site.

Arts Party Discussion

Tony went on and on about the arts party idea. I guess what’s important are the next steps:

1. Identification of a range of dates, and shopping them with CC members to set the date.
2. Establishment of committees for planning stage acts, interactive entertainment, vending, silent auction, etc. Patrick, Jodi, Michael and Susan offered up their services and get Gold Stars.
3. Primary goal of the event is to celebrate each other in a way where we can offer everyone who performs a small compensation, while at least breaking even for the event, demonstrating a sustainable model for periodic events of this nature.
4. Secondary goal will be to raise money for Creative City’s website development.
5. Coordinate the event with other venues, including Maynard’s, Hotel Congress, and the downtown galleries.

Want more on the topic? Just ask

Legislative Update

Michael offered up a summary of legislative issues from the local to the national. He recapped some talking/writing points from a recent meeting with TUSD and the OMA organization (Michael, please make corrections

1. TUSD has cut around $5M from central administration
2. Each school/district is hence more autonomous
3. There is a stated commitment to openness

While there appears to be some debate over how deep these changes run there seems to be a shift of priorities that is aligned with desirable changes. These things should be considered for those seeking to partner with TUSD on arts related projects. There is a reported close relationship between OMA and TUSD’s new Superintendent.

Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan spoke at a hearing of the House Labor Committee on 5/20/09. It was hoped that he would make some supportive statements re: green/arts jobs. Alas the content of the hearing was dominated by other issues.

There appears to be struggle among arts organizations not previously funded by the NEA and hence, not eligible under current stimulus funding. Discussion of the need to partner across this eligibility barrier were discussed.

There seems to be an award of Title 1 funds for education for Tucson in the amount of $44M. Local advocacy is crucial.

OMA is willing and eager to collaborate with CC.

Arts Marketplace Description

Therese (please add or correct) provided an outline of the services offered, needs and future planned evolution of the Arts Marketsplace (AM) organization she directs. AM offers memberships for $200/year which is the fuel it requires for its initial goal of raising a $6K match to obtain a Vista volunteer.

Core services include professional development, mentoring, networking, and money management (hallelujah!).

Therese has established powerful linkages to local artists and organizations here and afar, including:

Center for Cultural Innovation in Los Angeles: http://www.cciarts.org/

ACCION International: http://www.accion.org/

Major theme is microfinance for supporting arts and other ventures. Upcoming meetings are on Thursday at 10 AM and 6 PM.

More at www.artsmarketplace.org

Goals and Visioning

Michael led a process collecting ideas about what people would like to see happen with Creative City. These notes will appear in detail on a dedicated page for this multi-part visioning process. A link will be added here.

Announcements, Closing and Next Meeting

Several events were identified, and a time-sensitive need for appealing for the support for the Carillo Project. Details to come. Responses needed by Tuesday night!

Next meeting set at Arts Marketplace, Tuesday June 14th, 6-8PM, 40 W. Broadway. Please add other events directly to the calendar.

Thanks!

Tony

Creative City notes 4/13/09

Michael
jodi
Lynne Cohorn
Rebecca Olsen
Susan Silverman
Tony
Brodrik McGill

Check out http://www.culturalrecovery.net

Updates on national scene… some progress

Creative Cloud

Capes

ACA got it’s money

Mark Stern from University of Pennsylvania is coming out, has been doing studies on financial impact of the arts

Nathan Cummings foundation is funding rurally, and want to do more, though there needs to be training to move people into alignment with these opportunities.

WHAT IS CREATIVE CITY?

Visioning statement (draft): “creatively matching resources with opportunities toward healthy and vibrant community”

Content for website:
• Job Listings
• Mission
• Education, outreach
• creative services we provide
• DVD or books to help people get started
• Inspiring links about how we model community
• core theme and break out groups
• Placemaking guide
• Gallery – Play Space
• Work Parties – unleashing the Creative City brain on some organization – creative challenges

Paperworks?
Do a Living Library piece – interactive and talking
Permaculture trainings – become part of green jobs training center
Tony- Creative Commons, send boilerplate for MS paper

BRAINSTORM:

Creative City is the Commons
What is the conclusion here…

a coalition
forming a consortium?
advocacy
listing jobs
directory
services we offer
channeling information on the national arts scene – connecting people to opportunities
environmental

TONY – I’m here to protect something I care about, and that is the identity of Tucson that is dynamic and cool – UTNE Salon ideas, podcasts, Foxfire press books, arts based living libraries, interactive stations -

BRANDON – loss of the Muse has caused a disaggregation of the “flowers” that were there… it’s now spread out, and perhaps it can be reformulated into a bouquet. Learn who is in the community and how to plug in.

SUSAN – the earth is changing quickly around us, and artists have a role in helping us address climate change, food, energy, self-sufficiency and sustainability issues, localization. Creativity makes this possible. This is a possible model project … has brought together artists and environmentalists to collaborate in schools to increase livability and create a cultural connection… build upon environmental movement.

REBECCA – is a refugee of another folded arts center – creativity is the most human thing about us – all creation is creative – creativity is what unites us, what thrills us – art education is about creative problem-solving – Susan Boyle on YouTube singing in Brit American Idol… set her soul aflame – this is what happens when people have opportunities = they can be come more than who they think they can be, overcoming obstacles – together they can bring something into being that couldn’t be before – subversive, seditious, rebellious, somewhat out of control – wants to foment creativity – bookmaking – papermaking – WATERSHED MANAGEMENT GROUP IS CONSPIRING WITH THE ESPERANZA SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS VETERANS – LANDSCAPING AND WATER HARVESTING – BENEFIT DINNER – R DID A PORTRAIT THERE -

LYNNE- was drawn to Tucson the same as Tony – Tucson has been sitting, waiting, sucking up all of this energy – it is very collaborative, groups are generous with sharing – very attractive and alluring – has both adult and child creative opportunities – we need to engage ADULTS and not pass on the responsibility to the children – can’t just fund and focus on children… we need to recognize creativity in every part of our lives, it is part of the mundane – artists are not OVER HERE, they are everywhere, we need to see the creative capacity in everyone – refugee resource center for creative types – I need someone to help me organize these things – creative challenges to city council…. spin art – fundraiser – Art Van Gogh Go – Rebecca has a website called Art Wheel… CC is not trying to do a great big thing… maybe it’s small pods of ideas where people come together – Creative Kudos – Focus on an organization to focus our creative energies on them – found objects – Civic Garden Center in Cincinatti – provides 16 weeks of training FREE on topics for limited seating -

JODI – unlocking the creative spirit is the key to actualizing a creative collective consciousness to move us forward into a better future – activate potentials – arise and persist. The precious things in life are to see someone unlock themselves, and to see it happen in relation to important issues – CC can be whatever it wants to be – model projects – CC is an umbrella – creative ad campaign for the intrinsic value of the arts – not institutionalized – tying into cultural relevance – necessity, as Earth citizens – find connectivity amongst everybody through a creative string – CC could be a resource, education tool, an online community, an offline community, a place where artists and organizations and businesses can connect and be a resource to all people – bring in politicians to help them understand how arts enliven and invigorate the culture of Tucson, and help us understand their work so that we can be effective in the way we help – Tucson could be a model city – CC is an idea that can be modeled anywhere – it can be as expansive as it wants to be and is in a place to figure out what that is – it is a state of mind – if we believe we are creative then we are and will be, and others become so – be sensitive and aware to not just pose as a cultural creative – its about process, and the end product is the result of that process… – peer support group – dance theatre camp – The Field: everyone presents their work in progress and gets feedback – Central Arts does this? – don’t get too spread out in terms of advocacy – Creative City begs it being a model – define what CC wants to be a model for – branding – strategy -

MICHAEL – affinity group – people with shared values around creative production – loves that Tucson DIY thing, as the source of innovation – the desert lends itself to that – Tucson is northernmost part of Mexico – Barrio Libre, a movement that developed culturally – spirit – exploration cluture- off the grid of American culture – commercialism didn’t get here the same way as other places – oldest continually inhabited city – there is a community that allows for innovation and exploration more than other places – Let’s try that. Let’s go for it – Gaia is calling – Artists help us know what is next – advocacy and education – familiarize with the gatekeepers – CC function – Native Seed Search – Sanctuary Movement – Earth First – COMMUNITY – There is a lot of unexplored territory in participatory projects – architecture > storytelling, visual arts, dance etc… lots of room for innovation – training people to do service based learning and arts projects – getting people started from scratch – basic consultation – training apparatus (TRAIN THE TRAINER) – green arts training center – there are pockets of students thinking about this – MICA – Maryland Institute College of Art – national convening in Monterey – community arts has become institutionalized – good and bad – MICA where are we going, how do we create degreed training programs for people to reach out with… amazing success stories – this coalition started with an idea of integrating the arts into a green job training center – the arts are under attack – we need to defend and support it – TWIST THE THREADS TOGETHER – MAKING A ROPE – WEAVING – the arts experience is a problem solving skill – wants a peer group to do a community center project with – music mural, music garden, building project – murals on cisterns – Broadmoor arts tour this Saturday – Festivals -

NEXT MEETING: Refine mission and vision statements.