Note to State House leaders who organized a forum on building a better arts economy today: maybe a mutual fund and retirement investment corporation located in the suburbs isn’t the best place to have this conversation.
How about a downtown museum, library or art gallery? Or maybe even the Columbus Theater on Broadway, the poster child in Providence for the potential to expand our arts economy?
Instead, the charrette will be held at Fidelity’s campus in Smithfield. It’s scheduled to run from 4 to 6:30 p.m. – perhaps a more convenient time for bankers to make than artists.
So, the effort isn’t perfect … it’s still a good idea, and I’m glad it’s on state’s radar. If we spent a fraction of the time building up the arts economy as we do complaining about CNBC rankings, we’d probably be able to solve both issues at once!
Issues being discussed include:
- In what ways can Rhode Island distinguish itself from other states to become a “State of the Arts”?
- What specific tools can government employ to encourage growth and jobs in the arts sectors?
- How can non-profit, business, government, and academic institutions work together tomarket, incent, support and grow the arts sector in Rhode Island?
If these topics matter to you, you should show up and have your voice be heard … assuming you can get out of work early enough to get up to Smithfield. If not, drop them off next week when Rhode Island hosts a forum on how to attract more investment bankers to the state at AS220. (just kidding)
Hey, now that’s a swell invitation, tendered as it is at the last minute a couple of days after a blizzard.
No problem. As Groucho once said, “I wouldn’t join any country club that would have me.”
Kinda sorta feel the same.
Because Fidelity cares about Rhode Island. Of Course!
Will Lorenzo de’ Medici be there or is he headed south to the meeting at the American Enterprise Institute with Deborah Gist?
sheeeeeesh
It’s funny, but I didn’t even hear about this. I’d have gone.
But I will take the opportunity to talk about a direct way of supporting the arts.
<Plug alert>
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</plug>
This is very interesting. Capitol Television taped the whole proceeding on the Smithfield, a “campus” that was built on land that was appropriated by eminent domain belonging to a company that is subsidized by R I taxpayers to the tune of 17 million.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwVnut3rCTU
This program was put together, ostensibly, to discuss “creative” ways of developing the economy. Really, however, most of what I heard was “tax credits”, “tax credits” and “investment strategies”. Neil Steinberg was there. The writing on the wall is loud and clears – strategic giving, tax shelters, tax credits.
I have a Marcel Duchamp image lingering in my mind’s eye.
Looks like an invitation only event . . . based on on annual income . . . net worth . . . estate planning? I understand why this was kept under wraps.