Thursday, August 29, 2013

Communities need Eco Arts

The Eco Arts Council believes that there is a need to build strong, healthy cities by promoting the integration of traditional arts, Eco-Arts and a creative class culture in community revitalization and that creative placemaking should be given more attention, study and implementation in and around the Quad City area.

The role of arts and culture provides a positive contribution in re-energizing... communities and assists in social and economic aspects of life. The arts and culture are an integral part of life and, when embedded in cross-sector revitalization activities, it can contribute to positive and enduring economic, social and cultural change in communities.

We would like to see the arts and culture as a central topic of discussion in rebuilding and reinvigorating metropolitan areas as land use, housing, transportation, and economic development. As more organizations commit to creating opportunity for low-income and underrepresented people, from arts and culture organizations to community development corporations and other public-sector and nonprofit agencies, we can encourage participation in civic life and in discourse about the future of neighborhoods and cities.

We would like to see more talent and authentic culture in our diverse QCA communities that reveal character, provide distinct identity, and ground revitalization work in the genuine fabric of each community and support "Creative Collaborative Networking" that embrace efforts that respect and tap those assets.

Strategic integration of arts and culture is relatively new as is the concept of “creative placemaking", but cross-discipline, multi-sector work can take root with both and as we build a consciousness in the value of deliverate integration of arts and culture inrevitalization work. As we learn more about and share what creative placemaking activity is and to understand its effect on economic, social and cultural change in disinvested communities we hope others will test new approaches, identify lessons from current exemplary activities and promote the adoption of creative placemaking activity.

Contact us at: Ecoartscouncilqc@aol.com if you are interested in the following....
The value of Arts and Culture
Direct grantmaking and support for research, evaluation and other endeavors that advance field-wide and cross-sector understanding
An arts and or culture organization interested in community revitalization initiatives
Engaged in cross-discipline, cross-sector activities
Exhibit strong leadership and a community vision
Demonstrate commitment to sustained engagement and participation of all residents
Interested in neighborhood revitalization and community art projects, public art, etc.
Honor community distinctiveness

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