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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