May
2002
Trenton
Arts Connection transforms Trenton through the arts
By
Gail Cohen and Anne LaBate
The
following is the first in a series of articles about the Trenton
Arts Connection: where it has been, where it is going, and quite
possibly, how one might become involved.
Arts
and culture play a critical role in the economic health of cities.
Indeed, Albert Einstein once said, "The true test of a city's
vitality is not its commerce, but its art." Recognizing this,
a consortium of people representing the arts, business, civic
groups and government got together in 1999 to create the Trenton
Arts Connection (TAC).
TAC's
mission is "to transform Trenton into a center for the arts
through nurturing the success of visual and performing artists
and creating a strong physical setting for the arts." Through
the efforts of TAC, arts and culture can become an economic engine,
providing jobs, increasing the local tax base, attracting corporate
investment, encouraging downtown redevelopment, attracting tourism,
and boosting home values.
The
well-established Trenton Downtown Association (TDA) has had a
long history of improving the capital city's downtown for the
benefit of the region's residents, employees, visitors and investors.
Since the start, TDA has been a sponsoring partner of TAC; TAC
shares both office space and a supportive partnership with TDA.
Through
the efforts of other arts organizations, as well as many community
volunteers, a remarkable amount of work has been accomplished
in TAC's first three years. Besides the development of a strong
organization and a diverse board of directors representing many
partnerships, TAC has:
·
Developed, produced and distributed an Artist Registry and Cultural
Resource Directory of Trenton and The Greater Trenton Area to
promote and support area artists
·
Created and developed a successful Web site (www.trentonarts.org)
that communicates the essential role the arts can play in the
economic and social growth of downtown Trenton
·
Developed, produced and distributed "Artwalk: A Guide to
Art in Downtown Trenton," a brochure featuring the locations,
descriptions and photos of an impressive collection of public
and private art in this historic city
·
Worked with TDA to create the "Uncommon Gallery" on
the Commons and establish an outside bulletin board to promote
arts events
·
Worked in partnership with the N.J. Department of Community Affairs
to create several downtown murals by local artists in an attempt
to build awareness for the positive impact of the arts
·
Facilitated the creation of the Trenton Artists' Roundtable, a
group that meets informally every other month to discuss a wide
range of art issues and to share expertise and support
·
Participated and contributed to the Capital City Cultural Assessment
document co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts
and Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission, forming strategic
alliances with private and public leaders and organizations to
promote the value of the arts in Trenton
·
Developed, produced and distributed 200,000 copies of ten calendars
of cultural events to promote the arts and build audiences for
Trenton
·
Developed and produced two community Arts Forums at New Jersey
Network
TAC's
members proudly cite its most recent accomplishment, the completion
of "Arts Build Downtown Trenton: A Business and Cultural
Blueprint for Action." The plan is based upon information
and input gathered from the community over a two-year period through
research, forums, committee meetings, public outreach, focus groups,
surveys, and most importantly, the Capital City Cultural Assessment.
Among
the many recurring themes addressed by the plan are the lack of
space and selling opportunities for artists, lack of financial
resources, lack of marketing and communication, the difficulty
of building audiences in a city with a negative identity, lack
of community outreach, strategic plans that lack coordination,
uneven municipal, county and state support, and general fragmentation.
These
themes identify five basic needs for the arts community and downtown
Trenton: facility development and design, public art and art programming,
image and marketing, support and funding, and community leadership
and coordination.
Based
on these five categories, 29 projects have been designed specifically
to solve articulated problems and fuel the revitalization efforts
for the downtown. These projects serve as a foundation for "Arts
Build Downtown Trenton: A Business and Cultural Blueprint for
Action."
#
# #
The
June edition of the Trenton Downtowner will explore the first
category: facility development and design, including details on
the numerous programs and projects that will help transform Trenton.
Gail
Cohen is the executive director of the Trenton Arts Connection
and Anne LaBate is the board president. Contact TAC at 609-695-8155
or TartsC@aol.com.
