Text and Examples for Advocates

Citizens who attend a Town Hall meeting will be asked to complete a comment card with a subject and suggestions. It appears that elected officials are speaking about topics with the greatest number of comment cards. Therefore a good turnout of arts supports is required at each Town Hall meeting. Go in groups, take your neighbors, demonstrate support for the arts is broad-based.

What do you say? Arts advocates in Reno have spoken clearly to this same issue, and you may find common themes in your communications with Las Vegas' Mayor and public officials. (Please note, each of these presentations were written to accommodate a 3-minute time restriction)

ARTS ADVOCACY STATEMENTS: RENO CITY COUNCIL - JANUARY 8, 2010
John Shelton, chair, Reno Arts Commission

Reno has made tremendous strides in redefining itself. In doing so, Reno has established the arts as a priority in presenting a new profile to its citizens.  With the development of the Arts & Culture Commission the arts have flourished here for nearly two decades.  We have seen the development of Artown, the installation of a nationally respected public art program, a bold new design for the Nevada Museum of Arts, the construction of the McKinley Arts Center and new cultural development downtown with improvements to the Pioneer Center and the creation of the Riverside Artists Lofts.

Most of the impact we may see as a result of today's meeting will be to the Commission's grants program that generates matching funds from the private sector, creates jobs to stimulate the economy, and supports quality programs for citizens and tourists alike. 

For all of this, we want to thank you for your insight in supporting the arts and making it the priority it is.

We are faced with problematic times, and the arts have taken their share of the hit for economic hardship through reduced private fundraising, program cuts and reduced City and State funding.  We've even been responsible and proactive in offering up voluntary cuts to support the City's budget.  And we will continue to work with the City Council as we move into next year's budget cycle.

However, like a lawn that's installed but never watered, or an investment that never reaches fruition, we ask you maintain all existing grant commitments for the existing fiscal year.  Once awarded, these grants are essential in making key programs happen citywide - especially for free event that lift spirits in these hard times. 

We simply ask that you continue to honor your commitment to the arts as a progressive and productive way to solve economic challenges through creativity and a diversity of new ideas designed to stabilize Reno's future.

Susan Boskoff, Executive Director, Nevada Arts Council

I am Susan Boskoff, a resident of Reno, and, as Executive Director of the Nevada Arts Council, a worker in the arts business. A business that may not be understood by all...but a business that affects us all.

I understand your challenges, producing more than two-dozen budget cut scenarios in the past 18 months. Each time I put pen to paper, I affect people's careers. I impact the ability of our arts industry to provide public programs - made possible by public funding. I reduce the availability of arts learning experiences for our youth. This is an excruciating process.

Today, I feel privileged to speak on behalf of Reno's artists and arts administrators. They demonstrate a remarkable resiliency - working and producing during this unforgiving recession - giving shape, words and images to the human experience at a time when creative inspiration is most needed.

It is clear, now, that our future cannot be new, exciting or sustainable, if the arts are not a basic component of our political, educational, and social ecosystems. Combining artistic vision with the public good is what the arts community does. A philosophy, I believe, the City of Reno embraces.

I'm not saying that the arts should be held harmless during our budget crisis. I am saying that the arts are our language... the language of America, and we all share in the civic duty to insure their place in the daily life of all Americans.

Therefore consider the value of the public dollars committed to Reno's arts industry, and then please approach your budget reductions thoughtfully and equitably.

To everyone in this room, please close your eyes for a moment and imagine what Reno would look like...without the Pioneer Center and all the organizations that present performances there - the Reno Philharmonic, Nevada Opera, the dance companies and choral groups...without Bruka Theatre, Sierra Arts, the Riverside Artist Lofts and it's cadre of community oriented artists...without Nevada Museum of Art, our architectural gem...without the winter Chamber Music Festival...without UNR's community outreach programs...without the Holland Project's ability to reach our young adults. Imagine Reno without the hundreds of events in July during Artown.  

Is this the city you want to live in? Is this the city you want your children to live in? Is this the city you can sell to new businesses or tourists? Un-plowed roads...I can live with them. A reduction of arts and cultural events...Reno would not be my city of choice. A river may run through it, but in the end, the arts are at the heart of Reno. I wish you creative and innovative decision-making. Thank you.

Nettie Oliverio, arts advocate

I don't think there's anyone sitting in the room or watching this broadcast who would argue against the existence of the arts.  Pretty much everyone enjoys music, has a favorite art piece, a play or musical they especially enjoyed and that spoke to them.  The issue that raises its head during times of budget constraint is one of perceived survival and the perception by some is that we can survive without the arts - that those for whom the arts are important will find a way to pay for that out of their own pockets and that public support isn't necessary. 

In centuries past, the acquisition of reading, writing and math skills - formal education, in general - was not broad-based and was considered a luxury.  If you were lucky enough to grow up in a family that valued education and had the wherewithal to provide it, you got it.  Otherwise, you didn't.  Today no one would argue against everyone being taught to read, write and do math - to have a good, solid education - because we know that, without it, the core of our civilization is weakened.

There are studies upon studies that prove the same thing about arts exposure, participation and arts education.  I've personally seen the increase in the capacities for complex problem solving in students with strong arts backgrounds in my role as a coach for teams of young people competing in the Odyssey of the Mind regional and international competitions.  These competitions pit teams of exceptionally bright and creative young people up against problems posed by IBM, NASA and a host of cutting-edge technologies and over the years, many solutions created by the students have been incorporated into the development of the next stages of a project. 

And it takes only one season of working with the teams, especially those that go on to international competition, to see the overwhelming influence of a strong arts education.  It's literally the difference between the winners and the losers because having great science and math skills is not enough.  Consistently those students and teams that play instruments, study dance and creative writing, paint, sculpt and see and participate in theatre are the students and teams that win.  There are a host of reasons why that's so, but there's no question that a team of kids competing in Odyssey of the Mind without having arts knowledge as a tool in their problem-solving box is simply handicapped.

In a discussion of budget-balancing, certainly everything we spend money on needs to be under consideration and support for the arts is as surely on that list as anything else our city spends money on.  It's also just as important as anything else we spend our money on, especially at a time when strengthening our economy and our citizens' capacity to work gainfully is of paramount importance.

The Holland Project, artists and board members

It's been said that "The arts are an even better barometer of what is happening in our world than the stock market or the debates in congress."  I couldn't agree more. The best cities-and the healthiest cities-in the world all have something in common-thriving, dynamic, and supportive arts scenes. These scenes support ALL their citizens (as well as visitors from near and far), as the arts have the ability to reach everyone. 

Your continued support of the arts has helped young people in Reno connect to this place through the cultural experiences they are able to have here (seeing shows, watching movies outside, painting murals in public parks, reading poetry at open mics), and we're afraid that if we take these things away, and underfund the arts, we'll lose one of this town's most powerful and exciting assets-its young people. Thank you for your support of the arts thus far, I know you all know how important art, music, and culture are to Reno's younger demographic, and we hope you continue to set an excellent example of investing in the arts, and investing in Reno's youth.

I was born and raised in Reno and I love it here-and the reason I love it, is because of the arts.   The arts here have impacted my life immensely, whether it's Artown or the Holland Project, the arts in Reno have given me a reason to stay in Reno, a reason to leave the house, a reason to stay interested in my local community, a reason to keep my mind here and not venturing of to bigger cities that are already richer in the arts.  Reno has a very great potential to become very culturally rich, but the arts need to continue to be invested in and taken seriously, and not cut, attacked, or underfunded, just before we're able to make critical and positive lasting change.  By continuing to let the arts flourish Reno, you keep young people interested in this city, as well as involved, active, out of trouble, and invested in its future.   Take away the arts or underfund the arts, and you'll see that young people have less reasons to stay here and be a positive part of this community.

Hello...my name is Tony Walker and I'm here to remind you that, from the perspective of the young people in your city, we believe it is imperative that we properly engage and nourish our community so that it continues to cultivate. There is a major urban/underground movement of new music, art, dance, photography, theater and spoken word poetry here in Reno. Those scenes with their genres and collectives are important to the development of these often underserved demographics. On a daily, weekly and monthly basis creative avenues such as Rainshadow, Holland Project, Wonder Well, The UnderBelly, and open mics like Spoken Views directly affect, interact, encourage and develop not only our city's youth but an older, sometimes forgotten, generation as well. This is community. This City requires continuity in order to make progressive steps towards more hopeful and inspired tomorrows. Our local art scene is essential to our quality of life and if we really want to continue to call ourselves a world class city, a great city, then our integrity must not falter. We must continue to make informed investments that assist the whole city in becoming more productive while staying competitive. Thank you.

Tim Jones, chair, Nevada Arts Council

Good afternoon.  I'm Tim Jones. I serve as chair of the board of the Nevada Arts Council...and for 30 years, Reno has been my home. I directed University Arts at UNR for a number of years.  I'm one of the co-founders of the Artown festival...and and so I've witnessed the remarkable effects of what happens when support is strong and consistent for  arts and culture in our city.

Mr.  Mayor...and all of you,  and many of those who previously have been in your seats, representing the districts you now represent...all of you share in the progress, the quality of life, the economic benefits and the pride that our citizens feel when we consider Reno's arts and culture infrastructure.

That infrastructure is part of the overall continuum of life in our city.  That life includes public safety, clean streets and sidewalks....a progressive stance on protecting the environment, and continuing to develop our city with a strong carefully balanced sense of business.

However, any continuum must address dealing with tough times...now, and for the foreseeable future.  Our task...together as a city...is how to get through these challenges...and what kind of a city do we want when things improve.

The acting City Manager of North Las Vegas said it very well in the Las Vegas Sun earlier this week, saying the challenge is to how to cut significant portions of the budget and still maintain quality of life. 

Of course, we in the arts and culture arena have some answers to her question.  and it's backed up by an article in the New York Times...that talks about how Americans are changing habits today....purchasing fewer products...less ‘stuff'....and pursuing experiences as individuals or families.  Cultural and recreational experiences have become a more valued element of life to help people get through this crisis.

Through your support...you've established a city where people know they can count on the arts to be there. Artown certainly applies, because the Arts and Culture Division's grants affect so many of Reno's artists and organizations who participate in Artown-as well as the other 11 months of the year.

Make no mistake....we are aware that cuts must and will be made in all segments of city life and services.

We are aware that the belt tightening will continue for awhile. 

We are aware that the cuts will affect arts and culture as well.  But what we ask is that the arts do not suffer cuts that are disproportionate to other budget reductions.

Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for the support we have received from the city.   The representatives here today from Reno's arts and culture industry ... and those who are not here ... comprise some of the most flexible, creative, innovative people you could hope to have on your team during this crisis.  We will work with you to get through these challenges that the future holds for all of us. Thank you.