History, shmistory! Let’s take a look at what is happening right now in Richmond. You can chalk the following up as some of today’s real “street-level arts” success stories:
Richmond activist Christopher Maxwell couldn’t understand why our local public radio affiliate, WCVE, was so conservative and limited in its programming. When he complained to WCVE’s program director, he was told to go out and “start your own station.” He did, and that station is now WRIR 97.3. Staffed by dozens of area community volunteers, low-power WRIR has now become the City of Richmond’s official emergency broadcast outlet and is a valuable, dare-we-say IRREPLACEABLE local resource for news programming and alternative music of every stripe. Hear it online, and give money to the cause, right here. WRIR is about to kick off its 4th Anniversary Party on Feb. 4th. (See what happens when the grassroots community gets motivated? See what kind of volunteerism is out there for just the right idea?)
Still confused about what “street-level art” is? You probably don’t read RVA Magazine, inarguably the bible of the area’s “DIY” music, fashion and arts scenes. The latest issue of RVA [full disclosure: These fine folks occasionally reprint the essays found here at Save Richmond] even presents a handy run-down of some of the most vital artists, designers, musicians and co-ops in our city. RVA’s hard copy edition is a beautifully-crafted concoction — one of many reasons why the free monthly mag disappears from newsstands soon after it appears. It was no surprise to devoted followers when the magazine won two much-deserved 2008 American Graphic Design Awards. “Our readers are not a lock-stepped army of conformists, marching under the same flag,” reads the magazine’s mission statement. “But they do share some common characteristics. They’re curious, always searching for the unique, the unexpected. They strive for new experiences and broadened horizons.” (Want a snapshot of some of the city’s real cultural leaders — it’s right here for you every month).
[The fine folks from RVA were also among the originators of Carytown's New Years Eve festivities. This event presents an object lesson in how "Official Richmond" can ruin a good thing... but we'll save that one for another time.]
…and (last but hardly least) First Fridays is still going strong, revitalizing downtown through arts and culture after large, taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects have failed. Curated Culture’s artwalk (get a list of participating galleries and businesses here) continues to draw enthusiastic crowds to downtown streets each first Friday of the month, and continues to do this with little or no help from the City of Richmond itself (Read that last part again while stroking your chin and saying, “wha…?”) .
What was it that Richard Florida — the man everyone loves to namedrop — said about “street-level art”? By any yardstick, it seems to be the preferred brand around here.
Do these (and other) arts-related success stories — street-level and otherwise — share a common denominator? Click here and read “The Missing Notes,” my 2007 Style Weekly essay on how regional arts and music ventures seem to work out best when knowledgeable authorities and patrons are put in charge (And while we are on that subject, take a gander at my appreciation of the life and work of the great Beverly Sills, renowned performing artist and arts administrator.)
Also from Style Weekly, you can read Brandon Reynolds’ illuminating Aug. 2008 essay on Richmond’s “Cultural Swarm” — a nice overview of how “street level” art and the non-profit arts world intertwine in River City. One can only hope that those who are currently putting together Richmond’s Regional Cultural Action Plan have a copy of Brandon’s screed taped to their fridge.
Speaking of the plan, don’t forget to bookmark the informative new blog, The Richmond Regional Cultural Action Plan, which details the ongoing public process that will inform how to best manage (and help fund) the region’s arts organizations. You will also find links here to survey data — imagine that: Richmond likes music! — and announcements of both public meetings and online webinars. And you can stay informed about the plan by signing up for email updates right here.
For previous installments of Save Richmond’s “Richmond Arts Flashback,” click here.
And for a hilarious video of two cats on a treadmill, click here. (Don’t ask me why —it’s just funny.)