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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - July 2008
Sandy Fisher, SCAA President
Sandy@santaclaritaartists.org
As artists we are often focused on our own individual pursuit of
creating art,
promoting our own art, or dealing with the business aspects of art.
This
business of art leaves little time for involvement in our community
and causes
us to question the benefit of participating in art mentoring,
education and
enrichment experiences that benefit the greater public. However, art
needs to
be accessible to the public at large to demystify and remove any
elitist
barriers that result in a growing disinterest or fear of art.
Research shows that despite the significant benefits that art
participation can
offer to individuals and communities, only 35 percent of the
American adult
population visit museums or galleries at least once during the year,
and only
about 25 percent attend a live performance (Bradshaw, 1998). Even
fewer (14 percent) participate
directly in photography, painting, drawing, sculpting, dance (other
than ballet), creative writing or
classical music. Individuals who are disinclined to participate in
art may be uncomfortable or
unfamiliar with art. They may perceive themselves as unsophisticated
or lacking skill. Another
barrier may be the cost or location. Adults who participate in art
activities and events are more than
likely to have had positive childhood experiences with art. Yet, due
to budget constraints faced by
schools fewer elementary children experience art as part of a
traditional curriculum. If we, as artists,
want to increase attendance to our exhibits and shows and elevate
the relevance of art, we must
contribute to removing the barriers and ban together to provide our
community with positive art
experiences. Once we open the doors for an individual to the
boundless joy that comes from creative
expression either through passive or active participation, we have
made a convert for life.
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