Journal:

Art as Barometer

Art reveals our greatness and our dignity. That is its essential function. From the outline of a hand on the walls of a pre-historic cave reaching across millennia to murals in Beach Flats, art reveals beauty and defines identities.

It is art that drives us to pull images and vibrations from deep within to stake our claim to humanity. And, staking that claim makes us better.

Always. Though not always with convincing results. No matter how much they spend, some cities cannot pull themselves away from their corporate shadow; or others escape from their commercial intent.

Financial resources help, but are not as important as a safe and nurturing environment for creative expression. Physically and emotionally. Whether it is a home, a studio, a block, or neighborhood (again I can’t think of a better example than the Beach Flats).

"...the health of this city is expressed artistically." — Doug Hull, Arts Commissioner

In Santa Cruz, we are blessed with a thriving and vibrant art community. Dancers, painters, storytellers, sculptors, photographers, writers, musicians of enormous talent come to live here; world class artists perform here. It wasn’t always like this, and no other town on the coast enjoys this breadth and depth of artistic gifts.

Nurturing this exuberant garden, and its parts, is the challenge faced by the city and the organizations that call Santa Cruz home, businesses and nonprofits alike.

From events pulling the community to celebrate the river, to the Tannery shows, to the street performances, to the activation of Abbott square, to community murals, the health of this city is expressed artistically.

Whatever the primary ingredients are that started this, a university on a hill, a thriving healing community, a healthy gay tribe, a tolerant electorate, a surfing family, the recipe is working. The city is healthy and strong.

I would like to submit that the sign of its health is the vibrancy of its arts scene and that all other metrics pale before this one.

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