SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Hopefuls Focus on Arts

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Hopefuls Focus on Arts

Commentary, Video by Gloria Locke

Gloria Locke | Monday, Mar 3, 2014

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The recent “Focus on the Arts” candidate Forum, facilitated at California Institute of the Arts, provided a transparent view into each Santa Clarita City Council candidate’s heart for the arts in Santa Clarita.

The first-ever candidate arts forum in the SCV, coordinated by the newly reorganized Santa Clarita Arts Alliance headed by David Stears, created a picture-perfect opportunity to canvas the candidates’ positions on subjects ranging from their first experience with the arts, to arts in the scope of regional policy, and how they would champion increased funding for the arts in Santa Clarita – a hot-button topic with reactions as diverse (and about as passionate) as the community’s.

The number of residents who turned out on the rainy Saturday was surprisingly low. Apparently, only the most passionate of residents and arts organization representatives braved the wet weather. It was encouraging to see Andre Hollings from Assemblyman Scott Wilk’s office, Councilman TimBen Boydston, and Santa Clarita Arts Commissioner John Dow and his son, Jackson, upholding the civic banner for the arts.

Take 20 minutes to review the uncut responses from the candidates regarding arts funding and gain perspective in making an educated vote in April.

Passionate artists and patrons of the arts have yet a second chance to respond and voice why the arts are important – on Thursday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m. during a “meet ‘n’ greet” in the community room of Eternal Rock Church (formerly Jesus Chapel), 20655 Soledad Canyon Road (at Ruether; Hobby People is on the corner).

Does your canvas, stage, mic make a difference? It can in 2014.

Gloria Locke is a Santa Clarita resident and producer of “SCV-Arts & Entertainment,” which airs Fridays and Sundays on SCVTV.

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1 Comment

Jaylene Armstrong says:

Tuesday, Mar 4, 2014 at

Listening to all of the candidates on this video speaking about their ideas about the arts in Santa Clarita… there three of four of the candidates that seemed to understand WHY the Arts… are important to people and our community. I heard we have a sizeable reserve of money that could be used to for the ARTS.
Allowing for the money in reserve to be kept for city emergencies now it is important that the City Council members be more active in seeking a PLAN for how the arts can become more visible in SCV. WE NEED A ART CENTER WHERE ALL OF THE ARTS CAN BE OFFERED.
TO have an art center we need a site to be purchased.. There are several buildings that are vacant and should be considered as several of the empty sites have substantial parking. NOW>>>> the city needs to be looking at empty buildings and considering purchasing a bldg.
to develop into a ART CENTER…. Of all the candidates none seem to understand how cities of any size have art centters ( some museums) but an art center can offer…..>>>> Visual Art exhibits, art demonstrations, art lectures, dance programs, theatre productions, art Classes for adults and children, art libraries and space for the resident to relax and enjoy the environment of displays. An art center can be available for the public to enjoy seven days a week.
All of the current art events… offered are ONE DAY programs. We need art to be offered in various venuse all of the time.

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