Dear Mayor McGinn, Do This! Sincerely, Anonymous: PART 1

We asked members of the arts community to suggest what Seattle Mayor McGinn should do about the arts (and sometimes to ventriloquize what they would like to hear him say in place of his speech at this year’s Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony). Here are some of their thoughts.

A Composer:

I get the impression that McGinn is not passionate about the arts. I could be wrong. He does write on his Web site about the importance of art and how Seattle has many major arts institutions (he should also realize that there are artists that are getting recognized, which is just as important :) ). 

Even with the financial crisis, we are at an important crossroads: 

1) One institution that needs his solid support right now is 4Culture. If its funding is cut by 80 percent, which will happen if the appropriate legislation isn’t passed, this will basically be a disaster for the arts community.  

For my next project, I received $4,000 from Washington funding. 4,000 dollars, by itself, is not a lot of money to mount a production. I have received 10,000-15,000 dollars from funding elsewhere, with 5,000-10,000 coming from New York. What’s keeping me in Seattle?

2) Liability insurance is often a killer for artists who don’t belong to institutions. Why not offer a very cheap or blanket liability for artists? In line with the idea that solo artists are just as important as institutions, I feel this could be one easy way to nurture artists, especially ones starting out, to perform live.

3) OK, this idea is slightly more wacky. Having been part of other arts communities, I can safely say that Seattle is just as innovative – if not more so – than other cities. I believe this is due in part to our location: we are not on the East Coast, and we are not a large city. Artists here don’t fall victim to the rat race of cities like New York. The environment here allows artists to truly explore and find their own voice, and feel free to experiment with ideas, even if they aren't "hip" or "trendy."

At the same time, we are known for technological giants such as Microsoft.  Why not set up a commission, or think tank, that includes artists, as well as tech-savvy entrepreneurs (you know what I mean), that explores ways to bridge the arts and technology?  It could cover the gamut – from new forms of expression, to ways to make money. A partnership like this would be unique, and draw attention to Seattle. This would show that he is truly interested in helping the arts, and at the same time wanting to help the economy.

A Famous Photographer:

I wish the mayor would recognize Seattle for the arts and music town it really is. It must be the artiest town in the US that I can think of, yet the powers that be are always promoting sports. I would like to see art and music promoted to the masses.

A Pulitzer Prize Finalist:

Here's what I'd really like to see...one of Seattle's strengths is that things (flowers/plants) grow all year. Makes up for the drear of winter. But lots of people leave their yards looking like crap.

What if there were some sort of offset (property taxes, a grant, whatever) that would encourage people to turn their yards into works for growing, living art? The sculpture garden is one thing, but what if entire neighborhoods had an incentive to make garden art in their little yard spaces, rockeries, etc. so that just driving through Seattle would be a constant delight? And it would be GREEN.

A Noted Filmmaker:

Since the beginning of time, we have defined ourselves, our values and our traditions through stories. Good stories are as important as the food we eat or the air we breathe because, without them, we have no meaning. Since Hollywood has betrayed its role as the primary teller of good stories, we must now empower ordinary citizens armed with mini-dv cameras to march forth and capture truth. Accordingly, all filmmakers will have free access to any location, emergency priority in blocking roads and closing sidewalks and a city wide parking pass for location searches. Oh, and also, they get a special transit lane into the city, the best seats at all sports venues and....free food at any grocery store and restaurant. Oh, and when addressed, everyone is required to put "Oh most talented storyteller and keeper of our traditions" before their surname. 

A Much Exhibited Artist:

I'm for saving Seattle's public water fountains. There used to be more water fountains on street corners. Most of the ones left don't work, or have been turned off and turned into trash fountains. The civility of a society can be measured by the number and condition of its public water fountains.

on art...

Arts administrators don't really want artists to be able to make any money on their own. That's what "arts administration" means. Administrators are paid by the hour to figure out what to do with art and artists while artists themselves are usually paid nothing for their work. Independent entrepreneurship in the arts, as in all trades and skills, is discouraged.

I would like mayor to announce this: “We slaughtered the wrong pigs in the last world war and America is now just another trading chip in the global Communitarian con game. What is communitarianism? Look it up!"

A Prizewinning TV Personality:

My only idea is to appoint Jen Graves as Arts Commissioner. That would be a kick in the ass, I think. Also paint the Space Needle back to its original color [Galaxy Gold] in time for the 50th anniversary of the World's Fair.

Continue to Part 2