Art to spark civic dialogue in Delaware

Article originally published by The News Journal in the author’s column “A Broader Perspective”, June 2009,

The current dialogue among supporters of the arts to find the right way to fund organizations in the state in light of the recession and tight budgets reflects a deeper underlying question about the role of art in Delaware. What is the purpose of art? Is art to inspire and provoke emotions? Is it a means to economic development? Is it a way to increase civic dialogue? Is it possible that art might help build an inclusive, welcoming community? What, really, is the role for the arts in Delaware?

Arlene Goldbard, a writer on cultural policy, notes that art engages the whole person and the whole community. Art has the ability to move us in unexpected ways; it is the expression of the irrepressibility of the human soul. Art reflects the interpenetration of cultures as the intrinsic character of 21^st century life and becomes the cultural expression of the community. Art is a natural convener and creator of spaces of exchange and dialogue. As such, art can continue to spark civic dialogue and inclusivity among Delaware’s increasingly diverse community.

Art can bring people to the dialogue who might not otherwise participate. It can bring the voices often silenced of left out of public discourse. It can bring together groups of people with divergent viewpoints who might not readily agree to talk or work together in other settings. Art, therefore, is a complex concept that goes beyond the expression of beauty to incorporate many elements of human nature.

In Minneapolis, the Animating Democracy Initiative (ADI) is showing that art is vital to society, that a civic dialogue is vital to democracy, and that both create unique opportunities for understanding and exchanging of experiences. As part of this initiative, thirty two organizations are examining the nature and demands of this arts-based civic dialogue work to better understand what role cultural organizations can and should play in this exchange. Their efforts aim to get people talking together, in a focused and purposeful way, about issues that affect their lives, in hopes of better understanding the complexities, dimensions and implications of those issues.

One example of ADI’s initiatives is the “Midtown Greenway” project. Residents of various Minneapolis neighborhoods, including low-income youth and families, newly arrived Latino immigrants, homeless youth and recently acclimated Hmong women explored the question, “What is safe space?” After field trips they discussed symbolism inherent in material selected, notions of safety, community and art. They then created collaborative sculptures that reflected values important to a sense of community well being. These works, exhibited for the community, became focal points for furthering conversations about safety.

From an economic development stand point, art can also be an engine to attract people and business to the state. Richard Florida, professor of economic development at Carnegie-Mellon and author of the 2002 book “The Rise of the Creative Class,” indicates that creativity is multifaceted and multidimensional. He identifies three interrelated types of creativity; technological related to innovation, economic related to entrepreneurship, and artistic and cultural. He sustains they are mutually dependent and that in order to generate entrepreneurship a region must create conditions that stimulate innovations, arts, and culture. He also emphasizes that creativity requires diversity and it thrives when the environment allows people from all lifestyles, cultures, and ethnicities to interact. Regions that wish to encourage economic creativity must also encourage diversity. Public policy implications might be the need of the government to broaden their vision of entrepreneurship policy and moving beyond the notion of business climate to people climate; a region open and tolerant of diversity and risk taking. There is a clear correlation between economic development and art; art is emblematic of culture and might be its purest expression.

Delaware is fortunate to have a plethora of artistic organizations and a supportive state government that believes in art. This should be seen in light of a broader perspective that recognizes the importance of artistic expressions to the economic development of the state. Art in Delaware allows multiple expressions of the best of the human spirit while building an inclusive, tolerant, and diverse community. It is the reflection of an integrated and welcoming community.