Rob highlighted the diverse population Redmond serves. He claimed one in three Redmond residents are people of color with 25% of the residents born outside the U.S. Redmond is a young community with 25% of the residents between 20-34 years of age and 33% between 30-55 years.
Rob wanted his Arts Commission to be known as the "Arts and Culture Commission" owing to the diverse ethnic populations within Redmond. Councilmember Hank Myers said the diversity of Redmond gives Redmond "a lot of clay" to work with from which to build art works. He recommended our arts and culture "be fun for our residents." Councilmember Kimberly Allen said our niche appears to be in the digital arts and that we should celebrate our diversity with ethnic festivals. She said outdoor festivals are our strong suit, alluding to Derby Days, summer events, the Bon Fire, Winter Lights, and Ananda Mela at City Hall. Councilmember Tom Flynn liked the idea of Redmond being "a cultural arts town" saying "it brings good vibes."
Councilmember John Stilin, a past Redmond arts commission chair said "we need to put something out there - a little daring - we may have some misses - but the essence of a lot of art is it challenges people to think differently." Council spent a lot of time giving staff feedback on the "Cultural Corridor 2030 Master Plan" in the downtown. A large, manufactured "erratic" (glacial boulder) will be installed in the corridor as a centerpiece. A center for the performing arts is in the 2020 plan for the Overlake area but the city is also working with Eastside cities for a possible regional center.
Councilmember Hank Margeson said "It's hard to be all things to all people. We don't have to be a Park City, Utah (Sun Dance Film Festival) or an Ashland, Or (Shakespeare Festival). We want to be Redmond...to find our own niche and piece of the puzzle." Councilmember Carson said Redmond's niche is in Digital Arts without even a seedling for a performing arts center.
Mayor Marchione challenged the commission to ask "What's the best Redmond we can be? Who are we? What's our soul?" He said Redmond's roots are in lumber and agriculture.
In my opinion, perhaps a mural could be painted on one of the old cinder block buildings on Cleveland Street attesting to our pioneer days. The City of Bothell has some good examples of quality murals. Do you have any ideas for art or culture events in Redmond? Is it time some new art was installed?
By Bob Yoder
It's now 2016 and my wife and I haven't seen much progress with city art other than installations along the linear park. There's nothing to show for in the urban centers.
ReplyDeleteThe Council and Administration have spent gobs of money and time since 2012 evaluating consultant "art master plans" but nothing seems to ever come of it. Just last week on RCTV I heard councilmember Stilin's frustration with how we're not even on the map in developing a performing arts and cultural center.
Redmond is a city of over 45,000 residents and all we can show for arts and culture is: a small coffee shop that occasionally hosts musicians, an arts store in RTC, and valuable Historical Society office with memorabilia and speaker's programs (that's now threatened by LWSD!)
Yes, I'm complaining and not "doing." I'm not a "committee" person. However, I plan to invite an Arts commissioner to our nascent Ed. Hill Assoc.for Q&A, and I might be able to start a "conversation" at the May Town Forum to challenge the mayor to make Arts a priority.
REGARDING OUTDOOR ART: The city installed the erratic (made out of railroad tie plates) and an interesting railroad light installation in the linear park. Unfortunately, all the new 6-story residential/mixed use buildings are built right up to the sidewalks, so there's no space to install outdoor art in the growing city core.
ReplyDeleteRedmond does a very good job with multi-cultural festivals. Very good. I haven't seen a lot of digital art.
These are good points Bob.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to note that a major study was done inclusive of a (IMHO-shotty) needs gap analysis of arts in the City. It claims a "robust" arts education program, when in fact upon deep inspection there are a mere 2 classes is visual/studio art offered for adults, outside of ceramics. One in 2D, one in 3D. Both offered at the Senior Center, at hours inaccessible to working adults. We can do better!
And we want to do better... And the City wants better... But right now there is a huge gap of viable space which can be occupied by artist studios or classes.
Right now and in the near future Redmond resident will have an opportunity to support Visual Arts in Redmond.
Come to Soulfood Coffeehouse on Thursday May 19th. I will be there at 10am and 7 pm to discuss plans and intention to bring Visual Art to Redmond in real and profound ways that will offer soul to this community!
Our group is called ArtForma, and we intend to make Art Matter... Because it does!