I wrote a few days ago about a fledgling movement among internet savvy artists to protest the mayor's delay on opening the office of arts of culture.
Well, that movement continues over at roberta fallon and libby rosof's artblog. They've been nice enough to categorize all of the relevant posts so you can just click here to see the response they've been getting. By my count, they're up to 95 artists (including some group photos and, of course, this guy).
The City Paper is also pursuing the Office of Arts and Culture story and provides reactions from the designated advocates for the arts and culture community - the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. Let's just say, compared to the underground movement of artists represented by the aforementioned artblog, the folks at the Cultural Alliance don't seem too worried:
Peggy Amsterdam, president of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, says she believes the delay has more to do with the mayor's thoroughness than forgetfulness.
"He's got a lot to do," she says. "We'd rather he take his time and do a very thoughtful reopening."
...
If the arts community is worried, however, they're not showing it. The Alliance's advocacy coordinator, April Williamson, says, "We are fully confident that the mayor will follow through on his priorities."
Part of their confidence is Nutter's continual emphasis on arts and culture, both as a 4th District councilman and a mayoral candidate. "We worked with Michael Nutter when he was a candidate," Amsterdam says. "He understands that a world-class city needs a world-class arts and culture office."
I wonder when the "we are fully confident" attitude of the higher profile arts advocates turns into the less patient, actual advocacy, of the artists themselves.
(edited to add) Let me borrow a quote from a New York Times column about another hope-inspiring candidate to explain the "honeymoon" period:
Every great candidate has golden moments when the campaign merges perfectly into the zeitgeist of the people. But sooner or later it passes, and you’re left with a tired, flawed human being making a pitch to crowds of slightly deflated citizens. One of Hillary’s selling points is that we’re pre-deflated. We’ve known her so well for so long.
The Obama let-down would be way harder to handle.
Let's hope, for Nutter's and the city's sake, that the golden moment lasts just a little longer.
Comments (1)
Why would the GPCA be worried about it? They probably have the most to gain without an Office of Arts and Culture. They get to inform the policy for the mayor without the accountability to the citizens of Philadelphia.
Posted by Harold | January 31, 2008 4:55 PM