In Long Beach, it is hard to take two steps in any direction without running into an artist. I talk with people every day who are doing great work, supporting themselves with day jobs that pay the bills, and allow them to pursue their passions. We have scores of small arts focused organizations, and a handful of larger entities. While money is tight, it seems that everyone has been able to continue doing their work.
Funding, however, had become a bit of a challenge. The City, in the new budget, eliminated all funding for the beleaguered Long Beach Museum of Art, and its future is still uncertain. The City also cut deeply into funding for the Arts Council for Long Beach, which forced them to cut staff and reduce grants. As Antonio Pedro Ruiz said in his interview yesterday, the ACLB is reinventing itself. It has new leadership in Craig Watson, a new board President, and high hopes for 2010.
Previously, the Arts Council’s State of the Arts event was a rubber chicken banquet gala where they’d parade children and disabled adults in front of a vaguely disinterested audience of deep pockets and political operatives. Real working artists were few, however, because the event was a fundraiser, and tickets were about $100.
For tonight, however, the event has been entirely re-imagined. First, it is taking place at the beautifully remodeled Art Theatre in the thriving ‘Retro Row’ area of 4th Street. Also, the event is free, although tickets are required for entry. As always, they’re handing out Distinguished Arts awards, but this year they’ve chosen three really exceptional recipients. They’re going to honor the efforts of Antonio, Long Beach Opera Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek, and the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor, Enrique Diemecke.
These awards don’t come with cash prizes, but they do serve a purpose. They help to illuminate the level of excellence that’s possible in our humble seaside town. They help to remind us that, when we recognize our own assets, others might recognize them too. In formulating this event in the way they have, the Arts Council doesn’t have its hand out but, rather, is fulfilling its mission of advancing Arts and Culture in Long Beach.
I can tell you that, when tonight’s celebration is done, the Arts Council will be back at it. Tomorrow, they’re having the first planning meeting for 2010’s Global event, taking place next October. To me, this aggressive planning bodes well for the event, the organization, and the City as a whole. Perhaps they have re-invented themselves after all!