I have often wondered who reads my articles. A few people have called me and some asked me if I would teach ‘art’ to their children. Actually I did teach art lessons to one young girl and she did great. Now, I have a question for the readers. What can art give to a community? Here are some of the many things art can do.
Art can nourish a community. Art can build community spirit. Art can encourage partnerships among businesses, government and cultural leaders. Art can promote tourism, strengthen neighborhoods, attract businesses, and play a central role in creating and sustaining prosperous and aesthetic communities. Art can contribute to Human Advancement and Economic Development for the community. Okay. How can these efforts be accomplished?
A plan is needed. A plan must be created to make the arts and culture a cornerstone for a vibrant community to exist. The plan can be conducted by appointed residents and council members who create a survey or a symposium to achieve a plan. Much support is needed to create new venues for the visual arts to be developed in a cultural arts center to provide art exhibits, art workshops, art lectures, art demonstrations and enrich the lives in the Santa Clarita Community.
Yes, this is an area still needed in SCV. My question again is “Who will help make this possible?” Hopefully local leaders and policy makers will forge an agenda to capitalize on assets for these kinds of new economic benefits to Santa Clarita.
Jaylene Armstrong is a retired art teacher from Madison, Wisconsin. For more information, or if you have any questions, call 661-255-3050.