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Artistic
Avenue
Leave it to art to bring people together. On Friday, June 4, downtown will come alive with artists, musicians and patrons, lovingly tended to by businesses, restaurants and a consortium of arts organizations that have banded together for one purpose: to let art revitalize downtown. Artists will display and sell their work at booths along Broadway and Willamette, carefully perched near business awnings in case of rain. At one end of Broadway, the annual FOOD for Lane County fundraiser, the Empty Bowls Project, will have folks lined up around the corner of Broadway and Pearl, accompanied by a wine-tasting at Ambrosia and the percussive rhythms of Samba Já. At the other end, wine-tastings at Broadway Market will bring people in who are gathered for this first-ever ArtFest. The event runs concurrently with the monthly First Friday ArtWalk, and will kick off an entire weekend dedicated to art, artists, and an artistically expressive community. ArtFest is the first event to come out of the March 2004 Arts Summit, which brought together for the first time in a collaborative sense the Lane Arts Council, Hult Center, Downtown Events, Inc. and DIVA (Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts.) Long a dream of the city to have art bring downtown alive, the reality now exists because of new leadership and new directions of major arts groups in Eugene.
Those new leaders include Andrew Toney, who took over as head of Lane Arts Council in January, and Rob Hankins, the city's new cultural services director, who oversees Hult operations. The new direction is actually about 10 years old. Considering expanding the arts as a source of economic development was first put forward in 1994 as ArtsPlan, followed by the Eugene Downtown Plan, drafted in December 2003. Among the implementation strategies proposed in the new city plan is to "Encourage and support a stable arts community downtown" and "research market potential and available incentives for major new cultural or recreational venues, such as a new art museum downtown." One of the key players in realizing that agenda is the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts (DIVA). Recognizing DIVA's key role in cultural visioning, the plan describes this possible project: "Work with Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts to find a suitable location for an art museum downtown." DIVA's congruence with downtown goals resulted in a significant startup donation from Downtown Eugene, Inc. (DEI), which works to support local businesses in achieving economic viability and to provide economic stability to the downtown core.
At the Arts Summit, the groups brainstormed on what activities could foster a thriving climate of art and commerce in what DEI's Michelle Emmons calls "the arts and entertainment center of Lane County." A downtown artistic oasis is what the city will focus on in a current push to market Eugene to tourists. Emmons says with new leadership at the Hult and Lane Arts Council, there is a "new focus on a collaborate effort and it's very exciting to all entities involved." By joining forces, she adds, all of the groups can "make our resources go the furthest and we can create more excitement." While continuing to work with existing businesses downtown and luring new ones, Emmons says DEI is committed to supporting the arts and the role they play in building the business economy downtown. One great example of an arts/business initiative, she says, is the dinner and a show concept that includes discounts at participating restaurants on the night of a major production at the Hult. "Carol Phillips took that on and made it happen," says Emmons. "Kudos to the Hult for that. Everything starts as a small idea and getting information from there and coordinating efforts to make it happen is what creates change." Other simple yet sublime ideas include the DEI collaboration with Impact! Arts to bring the Summer Film Festival — three Friday nights of movies under the stars — to life, and to coordinate efforts of smaller theaters to work together. A big project in the talking stages is to combine the energies of DEI, DIVA, the city and Lane Arts Council, as well as the UO to bring a new art museum downtown. (See accompanying story for time/location of City Club talk on that topic.)
That downtown/UO connection is what has many quite excited. For too long, the mile stretch between campus and downtown has seemed like a vast desert, when in fact, it could be a well-planned, meandering riverfront stroll with galleries, shops and restaurants. Connecting the two is in the interest of the UO, the city, and all Lane County residents and tourists. Not only would the area be ripe with new life, but UO art and music students would find opportunities for employment in the newly created high-tech jobs it would bring. In his insightful book, The Rise of the Creative Class, Richard Florida points out that 30 percent of the workforce is involved in high-tech professions, including computer software engineers and others who have creativity and high levels of technical skill. This is the workforce that the UO is training for viable businesses in downtown centers. Video gaming, for instance, is a growing business in Eugene, employing graphic artists and musicians for new video games. Florida's premise is that a vibrant mix of the arts attracts these workers to an area and also attracts the businesses that would hire them. In addition, he adds, this labor force desires a beautiful, natural setting with easy access to biking, hiking and water recreation. Eugene has all that, points out Cultural Services Director Hankins, who has a vision of growing the arts downtown and connecting with the UO that is creating excitement among local organizations. "But Florida's theory only works if you think you can build an economic development strategy around celebrating the arts and outdoors. I think you could." In a recent meeting with UO President Dave Frohnmayer, Hankins wondered why the connection with campus and downtown doesn't work better. Hankins says you have a "couple of blocks of greatness downtown and then nothing. Why can't we have eight blocks of heaven?" Frohnmayer agreed the one mile between campus and downtown is a "universe of distance." says Hankins, who keeps coming back to the same theme. "The more you can get people downtown and force them to bump into new, exciting things, the better off downtown is gonna be." As for ArtFest, Hankins is excited because the event "tries to connect people to new patterns of walking around downtown. I see a lot of students and others come downtown and they don't know where the cool, hip cutting-edge stuff is. And you'd think with all the information out there they would."
Of the seven cities he's worked in recently, Hankins says Eugene has the most potential for having an artistic renaissance, such as Tacoma's, with its new art museum, Museum of Glass, revitalized downtown and artists' presence. Another important factor, Hankins points out, is that the city leadership must believe in and celebrate Eugene's creative potential. Andrew Toney, new head of the Lane Arts Council, agrees. Toney lives in Salem and just took the reins of his job in January. To him, downtown Eugene has always been a vibrant arts center and he says, frankly, "One of the things I was most struck by when I came to work here was the negativity I heard about downtown. Coming from Salem my impression was very positive; most of the negativity I heard was from people here. I thought that was odd and wanted to work to fix it somehow." He says while he has "an overwhelmingly positive view of Eugene," he found "the people who should be cheerleaders for it were in fact not." Fixing that perspective, he admits, is going to be a fairly slow process, but he adds, "Collaboration is key." "The ArtFest is a small step but in the big picture, doing that type of thing repeatedly over the course of time brings energy to the community and can accomplish more as a group then individually. None of us has the resources to do it alone," Toney adds. Toney also wants to expand the ArtWalk, not necessarily with more galleries or people, but with a "greater richness," maybe including street performers and participating restaurants. The entity that can help make that possible is DIVA, whose mission, according to Program Coordinator Carolezoom Patterson, is to be a catalyst for visual arts activities in downtown Eugene. The ArtFest, which runs concurrently with the First Friday ArtWalk, is part of that endeavor. It brings together not just the major players, but all sorts of artists to show their wares. Elizabeth Kreutzer, curator of Jawbreaker Gallery, is thrilled to be participating in ArtFest. Because it's off the beaten path of ArtWalk, many don't even know Jawbreaker exists. It specializes in what Kreutzer calls "cheap" art, with much of it made from recycled materials. "I definitely think it's a good idea to be seen with the other galleries," says Kreutzer. "This makes our art accessible with other galleries that are more high art. Jawbreaker can take advantage of the fact that larger projects like this can include an array of representative arts of the community." ArtFests will be held with ArtWalks June, July and August, according to Patterson. "If the turnout is good, we'll know there's an interest in a downtown art revival," she adds. If the public shows its support for a vibrant downtown arts scene, a new artistic avenue could just stretch for miles.
Art All Weekend This weekend, downtown Eugene will come alive with arts and events to kick off summer. The "Art of Eugene" includes the following: FRIDAY, JUNE 4 The Lane Art's Council's First Friday ArtWalk, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, starting at Café Paradiso, continuing to several downtown galleries and concluding at 7:30 pm at Jacobs Gallery. Most galleries on the ArtWalk will stay open until 8:30 pm. Free.
The ArtFest, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, along Broadway and Willamette Streets, showcases local artists displaying their creations. Free. During ArtWalk, DIVA hosts a UO dance performance in the main gallery and music by percussionists Midnight Sun. Free. During ArtFest, the New Zone Gallery presents "A Gallery Without Walls" at Broadway Plaza. The Broadway Bistro and Wine Market will offer a winetasting from 5 to 7 pm and the Eugene Library celebrates First Friday with a performance by Anguish of Snails, a local high school band. Free. FOOD for Lane County's "Empty Bowls" fundraiser block party occurs on East Broadway between Oak and Pearl Street. Samba Ja will perform, Ambrosia will host a winetasting and in-store receptions and sidewalk sales will be featured at Passionflower, Nick and Nora's, Goldworks and Cat's Meow Jazz and Blues. The Empty Bowls sale is from 6 to 8:30 pm in the Eugene Professional Building. Local artist have made and donated more than 1,200 bowls, with prices starting at $10. (Bowls tend to sell out quickly.) The Hult Center hosts a CD release reception and show for Misty River, time. Tix are $12-16.
SATURDAY, JUNE 5 The Art of Eugene continues with the Sasquatch Brew Fest from noon to 9 pm at Broadway Plaza. Beer, music, silent auction, food booths and an after-Brew party with Curtis Salgado at the McDonald round out the day. Proceeds benefit the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation. Tix $10-15. Saturday Market and Farmers Market continue from 10 am to 5 pm on the Park Blocks at 8th and Oak. Free.
SUNDAY, JUNE 6 The weekend winds down with the Opening Celebration of Mercado Latino from 11 am to 4:30 pm at the Park Blocks, 8th and Oak. Free.
OTHER EVENTS: FRIDAY, JUNE 4 The City Club presents its Arts and Letters Awards. Mayor Jim Torrey will honor Victor Steinhardt. David Turner, of the UO Art Museum, will discuss "From the UO to Eugene: Can an Art Museum Help Shorten the Distance Between the Two?" at 11:50 am at the Downtown Athletic Club. Fee for lunch. Tuesday, June 8, the City Club hosts a roundtable discussion with Dick Long of the Arts Umbrella at 5:05 pm at Café Paradiso. Free. — AS
Art
Pays Off A recently published report by the Claggett Wolfe Associates for the UO's Riverfront Research Park titled "Market Feasibility Study for Business Incubation Opportunities in Lane County, Oregon," looks at incubator programs in sectors including technology, manufacturing, specialty food and agri-business, and the arts. Claggett Wolfe Associates was hired to comprehensively review the market area and conduct interviews with economic development professionals, community leaders, university researchers, community college business development staff, and many urban and rural area businesses. While technology and manufacturing rated first and second, respectively, the arts sector came in third as being an essential part of the county's fabric with an already well-established presence with plenty of room for growth. It came in third because existing programs such as LCC MicroBusiness classes and the Lane Arts Council workshops already are serving many artists' needs. The report concluded that the issue of arts incubation was more of a community development issue than an economic development one. Using census data, the report points out the arts sector "is one of the few that has remained stable or seen increases from 1997 to 2001." The number of businesses, however is "small, with 20 performing arts and 15 art companies." While the census points out that 891 individual artists were operating as sole proprietors in 2001, another study published by the University of Minnesota (see below) points out that many artists are employed by other companies, either within their fields (writers or artists working for advertising agencies, actors working as teachers, etc.) or in other occupations. Because many artists are not self-employed, the figure of 891 is most likely much higher, in the number of thousands of artists living in Lane County. Artists interviewed for the study said they did not see a business incubation program as a vehicle for growing their business, rather, they needed access to an expanded market, and a great need for low-cost gallery and studio space (possibly live/work space). The report also stated that most local artists and arts organizations needed assistance on how to operate a successful business, and that programs such as the BDC Lane MicroBusiness program is especially well suited to such help, but its services could be severely limited due to budget cuts. Both the UO study and the University of Minnesota study point to the fact a unique, natural setting attracts artists. Both also say the magic lies in the downtown core, where the arts, surrounded by entertainment, retail and living space, serve as a hub of activity and economic infusion. The UO report concluded that the arts sector plays an important role in Lane County and is worthy of continued support. "Whether or not to develop an arts incubation program is more of a community development (i.e., quality of life and community character) rather than an economic development decision. The arts sector has significant community benefits, but limited economic benefits relative to other incubatable sectors. (such as technology and manufacturing.)" In a 2003 University of Minnesota report, "Artistic Dividend: The Hidden Contributions of the Arts to the Regional Economy," Ann Markusen, Greg Schrock and Martina Cameron reject the view that the arts are a discretionary element in a regional economy, disconnected from the competitive forces shaping its growth and stature. They show the various ways in which self-employed and other undercounted artists contribute to the economy through direct export of their work and services, through contractual work for area businesses, and by instigating innovation on the part of their suppliers. They show how to gauge the size of a metro's artistic dividend and make the case for artists' choice of a place to live and work independent of a particular employer or job offer. Finally, the authors "probe the policy implications for artists, private sector businesses, non-profits and state and local governments who wish to enhance the artistic sector of their economies, most of them modestly priced initiatives that will augment artistic networks and learning, prompt greater artistic entrepreneurship, thicken the ties between non-artistic businesses and artists, and nurture diversified, decentralized artistic live and work spaces across metropolitan neighborhoods." In "The Artistic Dividend Revisited" (March, 2004) the authors use the results of the 2000 Census to update the depiction of artistic presence city by city in a study of 29 metropolitan areas. "Performing artists, visual artists and writers sort themselves out in distinctive spatial patterns rather than replicating each others' preferences," they note. In the update, the authors consider the impact on cities of architects and designers, who are less likely to be self-employed and who exhibit different urban patterns. The report also points out that because many artists are employed by others, the Census does not accurately portray how many are actually living in a definitive location. — AS |
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