Comments on: Blinded by the Light (of Minneapolis’ Art Failure) http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/ Where hope springs eternal in the eye of the artist. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:45:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Laurie Christopherson http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/#comment-1277 Laurie Christopherson Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:45:41 +0000 http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/#comment-1277 It's so sad that people value sports over the arts-cheap chinese reproductions over original creativity or craft- deny a child's spiritual blossoming by withholding art education- it is a decline of culture for sure. Those of us It’s so sad that people value sports over the arts-cheap chinese reproductions over original creativity or craft- deny a child’s spiritual blossoming by withholding art education- it is a decline of culture for sure. Those of us

]]> By: Nick Legeros http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/#comment-1154 Nick Legeros Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:07:47 +0000 http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/#comment-1154 While I regreted not attending this event, I was not surprised by Michael's review. I was also pleased by Robyn's taking the panel to task. Her experience as gallery owner in NE Mpls prepared her for more than the panel could answer. I am currently serving my second term as President of the NorthEast Minneapolis Arts Association and have also twice served as the coordinator for our signature event Art-A-Whirl. I have gained a few insights into the state of local arts through this experience which I'd like to share. 1. Artist generally don't like to show up to things that involve large groups of people unless it directly impacts their career. This makes sense when you consider the profession. Artists believe in community and add to it indirectly by their presence alone. 2. Communities value the presence of artists in their community and are actively working to lure and sustain them. Here in NE Mpls the local Community Development Corporation is very close to building an artist live/work condo project with 42 units with a 3,500 sq.ft. community studio attached. Being on this board as well I know that our biggest challenge has been dealing with the politics of City Hall. 3. This point is a personal perpective. I got involved in NEMAA because I wanted to create a more sustainable enviornment for myself and other fellow artists in NE Mpls. I had never been on a board of anything and never ventured outside of my art world. I have pour way too much time and volunteered to the point of financial pain but I have seen results. Art-A-Whirl is now the largest event of its kind in the world with almost 600 members attracting 35-45,000 people annually. The directory works year round as a listing of artists and their studio location. Now in its 13th year, Art-A-Whirl was started by a small group of artists and is proof that if you want something you have to make it happen and it is usually a small group of committed peoiple who make it happen. While I regreted not attending this event, I was not surprised by Michael’s review. I was also pleased by Robyn’s taking the panel to task. Her experience as gallery owner in NE Mpls prepared her for more than the panel could answer. I am currently serving my second term as President of the NorthEast Minneapolis Arts Association and have also twice served as the coordinator for our signature event Art-A-Whirl. I have gained a few insights into the state of local arts through this experience which I’d like to share.

1. Artist generally don’t like to show up to things that involve large groups of people unless it directly impacts their career. This makes sense when you consider the profession. Artists believe in community and add to it indirectly by their presence alone.

2. Communities value the presence of artists in their community and are actively working to lure and sustain them. Here in NE Mpls the local Community Development Corporation is very close to building an artist live/work condo project with 42 units with a 3,500 sq.ft. community studio attached. Being on this board as well I know that our biggest challenge has been dealing with the politics of City Hall.

3. This point is a personal perpective. I got involved in NEMAA because I wanted to create a more sustainable enviornment for myself and other fellow artists in NE Mpls. I had never been on a board of anything and never ventured outside of my art world. I have pour way too much time and volunteered to the point of financial pain but I have seen results. Art-A-Whirl is now the largest event of its kind in the world with almost 600 members attracting 35-45,000 people annually. The directory works year round as a listing of artists and their studio location. Now in its 13th year, Art-A-Whirl was started by a small group of artists and is proof that if you want something you have to make it happen and it is usually a small group of committed peoiple who make it happen.

]]> By: bob schulz http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/#comment-1153 bob schulz Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:55:15 +0000 http://www.artisticfailure.com/2008/06/24/blinded-by-the-light-of-minneapolis-art-failure/#comment-1153 Great report. I thought of attending the meeting, but then decided not to give up an evening, which is the same feeling I have when thinking of renewing my membership at WAC. Why bother. As attendence falls somehow art by its own devices struggles on. Shocking. Being in Vancouver recently, I checked out what was showing. Something about cartoons? or other. I didn't bother. An attitude seems to be developing. We may be witnessing an implosion. Great report. I thought of attending the meeting, but then decided not to give up an evening, which is the same feeling I have when thinking of renewing my membership at WAC. Why bother. As attendence falls somehow art by its own devices struggles on. Shocking. Being in Vancouver recently, I checked out what was showing. Something about cartoons? or other. I didn’t bother. An attitude seems to be developing. We may be witnessing an implosion.

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