Supposedly the recession is over. Still our sickly region needs a Joe Weider-like nutritional workout program for the Arts to start to pump blood into the pale cheeks of our regional economy.
So en masse Arts folks attended "talking points" meetings, passed out literature, dropped yard signs, attended letter writing parties, and staffed phone banks pumping up Issue 15 that passed in May continuing much needed support to Health and Human Services. CPAC, contends the Arts contribution was significant and people are prepared to do the same and more for November's ballet. Indeed, the Arts community "busted" an 8.5 double lat spread on the political center stage in the weeks leading up to Issue 15 thus "assuring" that Human Services would rally behind the convention center/Arts Council bundle in November.
Vying for inclusion, some minority organizations like the African American Museum hosted community meetings. At one such meeting Tom Schorgl subjected himself (my words, not his) graciously to the defense mechanized paranoia bred distrust of the Black arts community. Afterward, some disdainful "heavy hitters" in the Black Arts community vow not to return to such an assembly of Black folk until they get their shit together, even though on a larger scale their organizations have exactly the same issues. But proving inclusiveness in the arts empathetic Tom Schorgl stood firm saying, "Hey, ya just gotta hang in".
So far, Arts folks have wanted inclusion in convention center planning and have been rebuffed. The Cleveland Growth Ass (Is that the right abbreviation for associations? ) withheld poll results from County Commissioner, Tim McCormack and I've received frantic emails or phone calls telling me I need to act immediately, call somebody in government and email everyone I know because of some covert turn of events.
Many voices speak assuredly that this pie in the sky Arts Council will provide an equitable process whereby every organization and individual will be on an even playing field. Well, if the same people now deal treacherously with the Arts community are involved in the Arts council endeavor, why would anyone think that?! Maybe, some of the people saying this have dealt with broad thinking, above board people in other cities where there is strong leadership.... I'm just sayin'.
When asked whether the pie in the sky will be vanilla cream or Flan there is no answer. "It's a public process where everyone has a voice" is the rallying cry. Yo. Three words for ya, Bush, Florida elections.
Anyway, the promise is no more pimp slaps and muggings on "general principal" from politicians and their boyfriend like what befell the West Side Arts Consortium recently. ("The "Quiet Crisis" Gets Quieter, University Circle Gets Richer", James Levin; Urban Dialect, January 20, 2003, see story here).
Meanwhile, yet another pimp slap has found its mark prompting a last minute meeting called by CPAC at Cleveland Playhouse on July 31. Shame on you if you are surprised.
Here's the abbreviated score if the ballet passes. The City of Cleveland Economic Development Fund gets 30% of the booty. Thirty percent goes to the Suburban Economic Development Fund. Technology interests gets twenty-five percent with the remaining 15% going to the Arts. This effectively cuts in half what they say they need to hang in and effect any significant economic growth and standard of living advances in the region.
Polls show the majority of voters will not support a stand-alone convention center but they would an Arts proposition. It is estimated that the Arts component of this bundle will bring in 30% of the "yes" votes. Thursday's CPAC meeting was to aim at consensus on what to do. One end of the spectrum says buy some Vaseline, take the 15% like good sports and help push the levy over the top. Then hope big biz is grateful and gives them a bigger slice of the pie when with sphincter muscles squeezed tight arts people line-up for the next go round. At the other end of the spectrum, tell the "large and in charge" that it's parity or we walk.
At last Thursday's CPAC meeting one political neophyte nit wit (me) tried to get the idea of a fight on floor just to take a look and was summarily dismissed. However many liquid conversations poured down the same road afterward. One woman tracked me down to say, "They don't see this process the same way we [Blacks] do". One man spoke out publicly saying, "hopefully, you can appreciate what we [minorities] deal with, having promises of equitable treatment if we will just be patient and work the system only to be bamboozled in the end" or something like that that.
It's clear, supporting the Arts is the proven way rejuvenate dead stuff like cities and regions. Even though I think we could use a convention center just find one that has pulled a city out of the crapper, I dare ya. So ya see, there is more special interest than logic at play here. are on the ballet only because their vote is crucial the suburbs are getting screwed but unless you're comatose East Cleveland it's better than nothin' .... What do the Arts need to do to garner a perfect ten double biceps shot in the future? Consider this.
Experience taught many minorities not to hold their breath waiting for resources to change hands by working only within the system. Gaining equity has meant fighting for it.
To the Arts community. 1. Make a lot of creative noise... especially if you're considering leaving town because of the art scene. 2. Stay together whether you choose to work in the system or throw rocks, (not that you can't do both) support each other toward the same goal. If you throw rocks be creative. If you work the system be creative. Most importantly family, we've been slapped at least twice and the proposed divvy-up shows the Arts as usual are the LAST priority. If those in charge didn't need our votes we would not be at the table. Arts people, you better "recognize" because several people making decisions got no holla for ya. 'Nuff Said. From Cool Cleveland contributor Cavana Faithwalker
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