Today I was in an intern meeting for My Eugene. The creator, Jaculynn Peterson discussed how, in the social media age, our concept of promotion/outreach is shifting from "know your audience" to "know your community."
This phrase really sparked a connection for me. It's easy to talk about reaching out to communities and building a stronger network, but who are these people? Long gone are the days of media-gurus concocting strategies to appeal to certain subgroups. That just doesn’t work. We – community organizers, leaders, and educators – are level with the people we reach out to. The role that our institutions and organizations play within our community is just as important as any promotional release we could invent.
So what is your community? How do you fit into it, on a personal and professional level? Who is the person sitting at the next table? Know your community; know yourself.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Hooray for public awareness!
With the pending economic stimulus package, national and community arts organizations were worried if concern for the arts would make the cut. Over the past few weeks it looked like little or no money would be set aside for the arts.
However, on Sunday the New York Times reported that the last push from art and culture representatives, including Robert Redford, and thousands of advocates, was a success and $50 million has been secured for National Endowment for the Arts.
The article explains how the Sundance Kid and others had to convince Nancy Pelosi and other political faces that the arts are worth that extra boost, especially in shaky economic times. Reminders are often needed that the arts offer millions (really, millions) of jobs nationwide, and push billions of dollars through the economy.
Before the confetti drops, this great achievement does not mean all smiles for arts and culture. There are still many out there like Georgian Representative Jack Kingston, who disagreed with art’s share. “Call me a sucker for the working man,” Kingston told the Congressional Quarterly. I guess to Kingston, working artists, administrators, curators, community builders and countless other figures don’t count.
Even with downers like Kingston, this moment means more than giving the arts a slice of the stimulus pie. Having politicians, community members and organization leaders come together on an issue like this is huge. Recognizing the significance and endless potential for the arts community is a good day in anybody’s book.
Just in case this summary and commentary was not enough, here’s a link to the full NYTimes article, "Saving Federal Arts Funds: Selling Culture as an Economic Force."
However, on Sunday the New York Times reported that the last push from art and culture representatives, including Robert Redford, and thousands of advocates, was a success and $50 million has been secured for National Endowment for the Arts.
The article explains how the Sundance Kid and others had to convince Nancy Pelosi and other political faces that the arts are worth that extra boost, especially in shaky economic times. Reminders are often needed that the arts offer millions (really, millions) of jobs nationwide, and push billions of dollars through the economy.
Before the confetti drops, this great achievement does not mean all smiles for arts and culture. There are still many out there like Georgian Representative Jack Kingston, who disagreed with art’s share. “Call me a sucker for the working man,” Kingston told the Congressional Quarterly. I guess to Kingston, working artists, administrators, curators, community builders and countless other figures don’t count.
Even with downers like Kingston, this moment means more than giving the arts a slice of the stimulus pie. Having politicians, community members and organization leaders come together on an issue like this is huge. Recognizing the significance and endless potential for the arts community is a good day in anybody’s book.
Just in case this summary and commentary was not enough, here’s a link to the full NYTimes article, "Saving Federal Arts Funds: Selling Culture as an Economic Force."
Welcome....
This is an introduction to "Abstract Canvas," a blog covering many issues related to art as an industry, art community and organizations and historical fun facts.
About me:
I am a student thrusting myself into the world of art. I fell in love with the study of art history several years ago, and my interests have since blossomed and branched into related areas. I've long been a part of volunteer-based and non-profit community organizations, and believe strongly that communication and culture is key to building a strong, cohesive community. I'm fascinated with the idea of using art as a tool (or medium!) to bring people together.
With this blog, I'm hoping to learn more about the industry of art, discover new ways that we can use art to create stronger communities, and maybe teach something along the way.
About me:
I am a student thrusting myself into the world of art. I fell in love with the study of art history several years ago, and my interests have since blossomed and branched into related areas. I've long been a part of volunteer-based and non-profit community organizations, and believe strongly that communication and culture is key to building a strong, cohesive community. I'm fascinated with the idea of using art as a tool (or medium!) to bring people together.
With this blog, I'm hoping to learn more about the industry of art, discover new ways that we can use art to create stronger communities, and maybe teach something along the way.
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