By Daily Press staff
Does the city need more culture? That’s for you to decide. The city of Santa Monica’s cultural affairs division is embarking on a visioning process in an effort to discover the cultural needs and desires of the Santa Monica community.
Through workshops and surveys, people are being asked to participate in shaping Santa Monica’s cultural landscape over the next 10 years. The process is geared to generating an increased participation in the city’s cultural life, and identifying short and long-term goals and priorities, as well as what will stimulate economic growth in Santa Monica’s cultural sector, and lay the groundwork for a sustainable cultural arts ecosystem.
The cultural affairs division is hosting two open workshops to solicit individual visions and aspirations for the community. Members of the public are encouraged to share their perspectives, attend the seminars and make known their priorities. A range of topics will be addressed, including how the arts can further enhance the quality of life in Santa Monica; what government can do to make the cultural landscape of the city more vibrant; how arts and cultural programming help to resolve troubling social issues; and how the city can support and invigorate its artistic assets. Attendees will discuss the existing programs while also conceiving ideas for new activities that could further cement Santa Monica’s reputation as an art center.
Workshops will be held at the following two locations and times. All members of the Santa Monica community are invited and encouraged to attend.
Saturday, May 7 10 a.m. Santa Monica Museum of Art Building G Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave.
Wednesday, May 18 6 p.m. Miles Playhouse 1130 Lincoln Blvd.
In addition to the workshops, the city is distributing a survey on the cultural activities of the community. City staff and volunteers will be handing out surveys at the Santa Monica Festival on May 14 at Clover Park. Surveys also are available at City Hall and in all branches of the Santa Monica Library. Anyone unable to attend the workshops is encouraged to fill out a survey so that their opinions are included in the final vision.
The existing Santa Monica Cultural Arts Master Plan was developed in 1992 and updated in 1996. But the community has seen many dramatic changes since then, and city staff members are looking to the community for direction on how to shape cultural future.
Santa Monica has a rich cultural history. From its earliest days, artists have found home and inspiration along the sandy beaches and foothills of the seaside community. Over the years, cultural icons calling Santa Monica home have included movie legends, literary giants, renowned visual artists, and leaders in the world of performance and performing arts. Facilities such as the Santa Monica Museum of Art, 18th Street Arts Center, Highways and Bergamot Station have established the city’s reputation as “Art City.” Today, the artists of Santa Monica are some of the city’s most valued citizens.
For additional information call (310) 458-8350, or visit the division’s Web site at www.arts.santa-monica.org. Tai Chi offered for older adults
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 2, 2005. Read the original PDF.