Recently I was talking to a community resident about why the visual arts are important to us and how they are around us every day. Eighty to ninety percent of the information we receive is acquired visually. Every day the things we see in the visual environment are a large part of our life. Therefore, it is important for policymakers in Santa Clarita to provide the opportunity for the creation of a Cultural Arts Center as part of the visual environment we can be part of each day.
The candidates who are running for City Council seats will need to voice their support for the future development of an art center. Why? Because there is an overwhelming need for city to accept an expanded role in a cultural environment that touches and enriches the life of every citizen and the community. Focus groups will become major supporters for the city to be involved in helping the city play a central role in developing a Cultural Arts Center. The arts and culture have been central to human achievement for thousands of years and provide increased significance in the creative economy for every community. Economic Development Plans for Santa Clarita need to set goals for 2014 that make all of the arts available in one central site called the “Art Center” that will provide: visual art exhibits, art lectures, art demonstrations, space for plays and music performances. Art classes for adults and children, planned trips to museums, art library with space for people to sit and read. Yes, all of these art experiences give residents new ideas, challenges to think about that can last a lifetime. There are vacant buildings in Santa Clarita that could be investigated as sites for an art center. Who is going to help city council and arts commission members to provide the breathtaking opportunities for an Art Center to be offered to everyone as part of human development?
Jaylene Armstrong is a retired Art Teacher from Madison, Wisconsin, a former National Art Education Association Western Region Vice President and President of Wisconsin Art Education Association. For more information contact Jaylene at 661-255-3050.