Katz is a former executive director of the Kansas Arts Commission, has taught at numerous universities, and has consulted and advised internationally with groups like the U.S. National Commission on UNESCO, the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies (IFACCA), as well as the U.S. government. His perspective of the arts in America is influenced by his travels abroad and his values-based approach to discussion.

One of the key elements of Katz’s talk was his explanation of the state of the arts in America. Americans value individual decision-making and freedoms more than we value collective benefits. As opposed to the European model of social support, we prefer to make our own decisions about which social services, charities, and not-for-profit organizations to support – rather than paying taxes and having the government distribute our taxes to those organizations.

In that vein, we must ensure that our arts organizations appeal to individual choice. Our patrons must know exactly what their contributions will do for the organization, and they must be recognized as stakeholders in the future of the organization. Katz gave an example of this: If a donor has contributed to a theatrical production, the organization should ensure the donor will have a chair with his or her name on the back. Additionally, if a donor or sponsor has contributed to an event, it is important to publish their name and to recognize their contribution.

Katz also discussed the history of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Foundation of the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, and how this declaration of the congress made art a “public good.” He quoted the first line of the Act: “The arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States.” As the lawmakers put it, the arts, like clean air and national defense, benefit everyone. When one person partakes in the arts, whether by attending a concert, watching a film, producing a mural, or creating a sculpture, it benefits us all. Society is better for each individual’s exposure to the arts. Our government must therefore support and protect the arts and make access to arts a priority.

The Act goes on to clarify:

(3) An advanced civilization must not limit its efforts to science and technology alone, but must give full value and support to the other great branches of scholarly and cultural activity in order to achieve a better understanding of the past, a better analysis of the present, and a better view of the future.

Just as we support the pursuit of knowledge in the field of science, we must also support the arts and humanities. And just as science is its own system of education, so too are the arts and humanities:

(4) Democracy demands wisdom and vision in its citizens. It must therefore foster and support a form of education, and access to the arts and the humanities, designed to make people of all backgrounds and wherever located masters of their technology and not its unthinking servants.

It is important when advocating for the arts to appreciate the foundation our leaders laid in 1965 with this act. Its language sets the arts and humanities forward as a pillar of learning and culture essential for our nation. Let’s move forward with the knowledge that art is a public good. That what we do will benefit our neighbors. That the creation of murals and sculpture and public art, and galleries, exhibitions, screenings, and shows all serve to benefit our community, educate and challenge our citizens, and enrich our lives.

Local businesses and storefronts will serve as venues for the display and performance of Topeka-based artwork created by over 100 regional artists. A large array of original artwork about Topeka will be showcased including: 2D visual art, music, film, and poetry. A variety of activities for kids and adults will occur throughout the afternoon at 435 S. Kansas Avenue.

The Art Walk will follow a designated path through downtown. (see the ReThink map for participating venues and their location) The ArtWalk route will be marked by handmade signs directing pedestrian traffic. All venues will emphasize the importance of downtown’s resurgence. Local eateries will provide refreshments at chosen venues, which will bring more local flavor to the event, stimulate local economy, and produce an awareness of Topeka’s cuisine.

This event is open to the public and the entire regional community! A donation of any amount will get you a cool ReThink Topeka pin that will serve as your pass to all the fun!

Venues:

1. Topeka Community Cycle Project- 423 S Kansas Ave 1-5 pm
2. 435 South Kansas Avenue (above Bosco’s) 1-5 pm
3. Rowhouse Restaurant- 515 Southwest Van Buren Street 1-5 pm
4. NexLynx- 123 SW 6th Ave., Upstairs 1-5 pm
5. Supersonic Music- 117 Southeast 6th Avenue/Parking Lot to the West of the store 1-5 pm
6. Jayhawk Tower -700 Southwest Jackson Street 1-5 pm
7. Break Room- 911 South Kansas Avenue 1-6 pm
8. La Michoacana- 1202 SE 6th 1-6 pm

Join and invite people to the event on Facebook!

artists/poets/ musicians:

• Pat Vincent G Abellon
• Thomas Fox Averill
• Janet R Bailey
• Annette Bartel
• Beatrice
• Dan Billen
• Sam Billen
• Merrilee Brandt
• Hayley Brazier
• CJ Calhoun
• Catherine Carter
• Daniel Coburn
• Nicole Cunningham
• Clay Davis
• Jeanette Devilbis
• Cale Herreman
• Stik Figa
• Jeff Fouquet
• Shanon Fouquet
• Kimi Frisch
• Karl Fundenberger
• Rose Gillenwater
• Lisa Grossman
• LeRoy Groves
• Justin Gutierrez
• Kaitlin Hannigan
• Rachel Haydon
• Martinez Hillard
• John Holcomb
• Melissa Homolka
• Kaylee Homolka
• Interior Sea
• Whitney Jacobs
• Renee Johnson
• LoveJones
• Katie Kennedy
• Ashley Laird
• Brad LeDuc
• Josesph Little
• Kristine A Luber
• Colin MacMillan
• Aaron Marable
• Bailey Marable
• Justin Marable
• Kendra Marable
• Aaron Martin
• Brie Martin
• Eric McHenry
• Heather McKee
• Jeff Moore
• Kristin Morland
• Stephanie Munoz-Oneil
• Sabra Nierenberg
• Sara O Keeffe
• Peg Penry
• Matt Porubsky
• Betsy Knabe Roe
• Stella Robbins
• Gerardo Cameron Rodriquez
• Jason Romonishin
• Jim Schwartz
• Rhonda Schley
• Bob Sell
• Leah Sewell
• Melissa Sewell
• Macie Smith
• Zach Snethen
• Jennifer Somers
• Timothy Volpert
• Michaela Warren
• Barbara Waterman-Peters
• Joe Williams
• Dana Wohletz

Check out some of the music that will part of this event:

• Stik Figa – http://www.myspace.com/stikfiga
• Aaron Martin – http://www.myspace.com/prisonwine
• Sam Billen – http://sambillen.com/

And a sample of video to be played with many more at Break Room:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl994fPuCGM

And delicious food provided by:

• Rowhouse Resturant – fabulous food
• Linda Carson (Blue Planet Cafe) – delicious finger foods
• Topeka Natural Food Coop – snack samples
• Daddycakes – delicious cupcakes
• Break Room – good concessions for film watching
• La Michoacana – homeade ice cream

Join and invite people to the event on Facebook!

For the first time on public display, the completed “Art Cube” by Chords and Oil will be seen at the Topeka Home Builder’s Association 2010 Home Show, “Home is Where the Art Is.” The six and a half foot “Art Cube” was started by Chords and Oil as a live art interaction at the Arty Party (Arts Connect) in October, 2009. The cube is a celebration of Topeka, a great arts town.

“We are committed to partnering with other groups to accomplish our progressive vision for Topeka,” said said Andrea Engstrom, Chords and Oil board member.

Chords and Oil is an art collective consisting of 100 members, of which the average age is 28. The Chords and Oil Board of Directors consists of visual artists, musicians, poets, filmmakers, arts advocates, social activists, active volunteers, students and young professionals. The group formed in December, 2008 with the mission of effecting positive change to the Topeka arts community and, in doing so, to better the city of Topeka as a whole.

“We have a fundamental belief that people who are involved with the arts and given a chance to have an outlet for their creativity become better citizens,” said Chad Manspeaker, founding member of Chords and Oil.

Chords and Oil initiatives include public murals, community gardening and downtown revitalization. The group believes that a vibrant downtown would help the arts in Topeka by providing a setting for cultural progress. Chords and Oil members hope to create positive change through public service, by focusing on community beautification, environmental protection and education.

Since its debut event in Januray 2009, Chords and Oil has received positive feedback from the Topeka community.  “We have seen an absolute outpouring of support for what we are doing,” said Engstrom. “It is giving us momentum and motivating our group to dream bigger dreams for Topeka.”

The show is at Exhibition Hall, and is open at these times:

March 5th, Noon to 7 pm
March 6th, 9 am to 7 pm
March 7th, 10 am to 5 pm

If you made it to the Arty Party last fall – you might remember the Art Cube. Come see the finished product at the Home Show! This is the first public showing of our mobile, 256 square foot, collaborative, interactive mural featuring a theme of Kansas Progress.

Helping Hands Humane Society future location, Dillon’s Crossing, 21st and Belle, Topeka

February 27, 2010 at 10:00 am (approximately one hour)

Please join us for a gathering of artists to meet with the Arts Committee of Helping Hands Humane Society, Inc. The Committee is formulating a Request For Proposals (RFP) to select an artist or team of artists to help make the new shelter an exciting, friendly and welcoming place. The Committee would like the input of artists at this meeting before finalizing its RFP and budget.

Design elements include:

· Animal mobiles
· Interior directional signage
· Interior color schemes
· Designs for one or possibly two mascots
· Other suggested elements that help achieve our goal

The Committee is also interested in an interior mural, which may or may not be part of the initial RFP.

The meeting will be held inside the new facility at 21st and Belle on the eve of its remodeling. The new rooms in the building have been laid out on the floor with masking tape, so that persons attending will get an initial sense of place and space.
To reserve your place, please contact Mary Ann Earp, Chairperson at rbemae@sbcglobal.net

The show is from 10-8 on Friday and Saturday, and 11-5 on Sunday.

And keep your eyes peeled – we’ll be at the Topeka Home Builders Association Home Show the first weekend in March.

See you this weekend! 

Chords & Oil will be working on the next panel of Topeka’s Great Mural Wall.

http://www.refresheverything.com/greatmuralwalltopeka

The Great Mural Wall of Topeka was initiated in 2006 by the Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association with a desire to instill community pride, beautify the neighborhood, and curtail graffiti.  The project honors the cultural history and ongoing spirit of Topeka’s neighborhoods.

The 900-foot wall, located in the Chesney Park Neighborhood, was originally a city water reservoir. It has now become the canvas for a community wide mural painting effort that is supported by a multitude of neighborhood organizations and volunteers.

Under the direction of nationally recognized mural artist Dave Loewenstein, community members have researched, designed, and painted scenes depicting Topeka’s rich history.  As of the fall of 2009 over 400 feet of the Great Mural Wall has been painted.   Our goal for 2010 is to complete another 120 feet of mural and complete painting the entire 900 feet of the Great Mural Wall of Topeka by 2012. – Please Vote Now!

1. Next meeting – Feb 16 or 20?
2. Garden Show – planning and pay $27.50 for booth?
3. Home Show
4. Great Mural Wall
5. Knitting project
6. T-Shirts remaining:
   S – 2
   M – 3
   L – 2
   XL – 5
7. What else can we sell/make to raise a little money?
8. Topeka Community Cycle Project

HEY ALL YOU INDEPENDENT FILM MAKERS OUT THERE! Get the new year started out right by submitting your work to the 2010 KCK FILM FESTIVAL. They are only taking submissions for another day or two so you have to contact Patrick now. He is a great guy and i know will work with you to make this happen. If you want this to be the year that you are discovered-you have got to start sometime, someplace. It’s a great opportunity  - don’t miss it – Call or email NOW!!! details attached. TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

What is ReThink Topeka?

Topeka artist Justin Marable will showcase his interpretations of the Capital City at “Why ReThink,” a new exhibit 3-5 p.m. Saturday Dec. 19 at Lola’s Café.

Last September, Marable sent out a call for art to the city and the region for the event, “ReThink Topeka,” which will occur April 17, 2010 in downtown Topeka. In the meantime, he has found fresh ways to perceive Topeka and continues to “ReThink” the city on a daily basis. The show “Why ReThink” is an effort to energize local and regional artists and will serve as a reminder to participate in the coming “ReThink Topeka” event April 2010.

“I’m hoping that people will use the show as inspiration to make their own ReThink Topeka art, or to begin expressing pride in this place we call home,” said Marable.

The art exhibit will be on display beginning Dec. 1, featuring screenprints of Marable’s work that deals with places in Topeka and written explanations of why he decided to “ReThink” that location.

A formal opening will be held 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19. The opening will feature Topeka-centered poetry readings by Matt Porubsky and Leah Sewell, the live music of local band Interior Sea and discussions about Topeka as inspiration for local artists, musicians, writers and performers. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the coming April 2010 “ReThink Topeka” event, and merchandise such as stickers, pins and t-shirts will be available. Marable welcomes anyone to the show who is supportive of battling negative perceptions about Topeka and helping to create a more positive representation.

Check out the Facebook event for additional photos, or to invite your friends.