Image is everything in politics and a great many successful elected officials have worked to maintain a good relationship with Kansas City's Arts Community.
Sadly, Mayor Funky's contribution to the art world and his effort to put STRETCH in charge of important City Finances wasn't very well thought out despite the fact it was pretty entertaining. By contrast, Mayoral Candidate Mike Burke's Plan to connect the Kansas City Arts scene to the political world seems a lot more realistic.
The money quote from Burke's latest presser:
"I'll establish an Office for the Arts within the Mayors Office within the first 90 days of my administration that will work collaboratively with the art-supporting organizations that currently operate in Kansas City."
He goes into great detail regarding how he'd like to work with the art community and most of it seems like pretty traditional stuff that's already taking place in more progressive towns.
The Big Difference: Mayor Funky's artsy connections are small time plays that speak mostly to his consistent use of identity politics and don't really help Kansas City's image while Burke's plan is a standard, professional effort to work with KC's art community.
I don't know art but I know I don't like Co-Mayor Funky . . . More importantly . . . Question: Is an comprehensive art plan important so important to Kansas City's future that it needs to be addressed? I'm not really sure but it's starting to look like Burke has his designs for his Mayoral Administration almost completely sketched out and seems to be looking at the big picture while our current pair of Co-Mayor performance artists are just bouncing around from one issue to the next.
Check the presser for yourself:
Art is the Heart of our Community
I have long felt that Kansas City's art and cultural resources are crucial to our economy, vitality and quality of life. I now believe we have a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on these brilliant arts and cultural initiatives and elevate our city government's partnership and involvement in these efforts in order to make the arts an essential part of our city.
By utilizing the city's resources in cooperation and coordination with committed and focused community leadership, I am convinced we can instill arts and culture into every facet of the city's goals and aspirations.
I am committed to strengthening our arts and cultural efforts to sustain the momentum of our progress while fostering a cultural climate to attract new residents and businesses. Strong arts programming insures a diverse work force. It is also essential that the city lead in efforts to ensure that all of its citizens have access to art and cultural programs, events and education.
To achieve these lofty but essential goals, I'll establish an Office for the Arts within the Mayors Office within the first 90 days of my administration that will work collaboratively with the art-supporting organizations that currently operate in Kansas City.
Specifically, the Office for the Arts will be tasked to:
* Build upon the more than $1 billion invested in the arts and cultural amenities over the past 10 years
* Enhance arts and culture as a resource for economic development
* Sponsor city support for our cultural districts such as The Crossroads
* Increase accessibility to arts and culture for all the citizens of Kansas City
* Preserve and strengthen arts engagement opportunities for our youth
* Integrate arts to promote the health and welfare of our senior citizens
* Develop strong City leadership on behalf of cultural development
* Maximize the potential of the Municipal Arts Commission
* Promote the City's arts and culture to residents, visitors and civic leadership as an integral aspect of Kansas City's identity, economic vitality and quality of life
* Explore dedicated public funding mechanisms for cultural support
* Explore ways to work cooperatively with area-wide arts organizations
Once the action plan is drafted, I pledge to work cooperatively with the City Council in implementing these recommendations. These recommendations will not sit on a shelf. We can't afford to let this precious moment fade away without dedicated action.
My promise to you is that when you elect me as your next mayor, you will have a Mayor of Kansas City who is a supporter and a patron of the arts.
This Friday, October 1, we are hosting a special reception in honor of the Kansas City Arts scene. All are welcome from 4:00-7:00pm at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center located at 2010 Baltimore Avenue in The Crossroads.
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Funk wins.
ReplyDeleteCrossroads is but one art spot on our canvas. 18th & Vine is a cultural district too, as is the West side Hispanic arts area. Candidates have a tin ear when it comes to being inclusive in this town...
ReplyDeleteSo does this make Burke the front runner Tony?
ReplyDeleteWho cares what Tony says. Burke is not a front runner. Funk would DESTROY him in the primary. Sorry but that's just the way it is.
ReplyDeletefor big government, big spending, useless org, socialist agenda. Mike is a loser.
ReplyDeleteMayor's Office for bloggers
ReplyDeleteTony, you should require all Mayoral Candidates to stop the block on your blog at City Hall. Ha!
ReplyDeleteNot gonna happen. But it doesn't really matter now that everyone can just look at it on their phone.
ReplyDeleteFor once I'll not be a liberal. KCMO city can't afford a six figure position for art... tho whoever chose the airport art sure could have used some guidance. It has nothing to do with KC's identity and looks under construction.
ReplyDeleteA volunteer metro area not-for- profit would do just fine for the entire area. Friends of the Arts can fund a part time clerical... not taxpayers.
City needs to stick to basic services. And if they want some board, we need a volunteer director to staff the community centers! Get private people to work for their city.
First potential volunteers should be the two big mouths. Alonzo and Tony.
Including neighborhood pickup block by block. Whole bunch of teens can do that instead of getting into trouble.
Real cities find a way to incorporate art. Not painted cows.
ReplyDeleteBe a real city. Which means:
Be a real citizen, Tony.
Arts are huge in this community. It is an emerging market sort of speak in KC. There is a ton of support. The city could leverage taxpayers dollars 10 fold.This is not an area regular folks contribute to or know much about.
ReplyDeleteI'm just dying to hear Tracy's position on this!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteMike, what a phony you are. Where have you been for the last 30 yrs? For you art is Elvis Velvet Paintings sold out of pick up trucks, and now you're trying to con the hipsters. You are such a phony...you had your chance when you were on the Council and voted against the 1% for the Arts. No more phonies for Mayor!!
ReplyDeleteAre you really remembering almost 20 years ago when burke was on council.
ReplyDeleteInsider comment, I don't respect.
Bullshit race. Funk wins.
Decent idea if it were presented by someone that could win.
ReplyDeleteArt is like religion. Keep the government the fuck out of it. At any and every level. Both must perform their services within the community to justify their existence.
ReplyDeleteIf you do a good job and reach people then you go on.
How hard is that to figure out?
Which is better: saying you will work closely with the arts or putting an artist on the TIF commission?
ReplyDeleteYou have to hand it to burke for trying to tap into their money. He'll get a little political traction with the group because of this, but most live in Kansas and it won't translate into votes. Funk loses no matter what.
ReplyDeleteBurke is a tool of the developers. He will blow whatever demographic his handlers think he will need to get into office. Then, while he promotes the arts he will be making backroom deals with every builder in town just like GiveAway Kay.
ReplyDeleteputting an artist on the TIF Commission has nothing to do with supporting the art community, and everything to do with intentionally undermining an economic development tool you don't like. It is like wearing a pair of shoes as reading glasses and bragging that you thing reading is important, and you also support shoe makers! Anyone but Funk wins.
ReplyDeleteFlake art-deco homo. Funk wins.
ReplyDeleteIn an effort to boost business at his studio, Stretch has announced he will be driving a spike into his head at 10:30 Saturday morning. Tracy Ward will be wielding the special pink hammer.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have all the E-tax money, I guess there's no limit to the stupid stuff you can fund.
ReplyDelete