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Every great metropolis in history had a strong tradition of creative arts. A tradition of craftsmanship and, most importantly, of discussion. Cities are built and broken on the ability to have lithe, flexible, exchangeable ideas and debates. A city which stagnates dies. Dead cities don’t innovate. They are sealed in the coffin of abandoned industries and worthless factories. Even in our very modern world these cities can be wholly abandoned, suddenly, sometimes less than a century after their greatest boom times.
Creative culture is the lifeblood of a thriving city. Art exists in a realm where crazy ideas can flourish. The greatest “what ifs” can emerge, be tested, and sink or swim. Art is the original viral meme generator — and the new ideas it generates can’t help but trickle down or overflow into business, commerce and city government.
If we care about our city, we have one easy additional “to do” item: Embrace the arts. Weave them into our lives. Pick one event a month and go. “Doing our part” can be as easy as having opinions about what we see and sharing them with others. I hope you’re ready, because art season is opening.
"— Cat’s article for Juice Magazine, September 21, 2011.
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