When Will Tampa's Arts Community Get REAL ?

Let's start this out with the clear statement that I and TAMPAGOLD.COM are supporters of the Arts. Especially anything that allows for the public at large to have exposure to the arts. We are stating this up front because we know the overzealous arts junkies are going to give us grief for the rest of this posting. Lights on Tampa is a good start in reaching to the Tampa community. See our coverage of the event here.

The old expression of the "squeaking wheel gets the grease" is clearly applicable in Tampa's so called "arts community." There are many really talented local artists that work their rear ends off creating some really unique works and then working at almost the same intensity trying to find locations to show their works that aren't squeezing them for every dollar along the way. But it is frequenly the "squeaking" monied crowd that gets heard. Tampa is fortunate to have the likes of Kama Gallery in North Ybor, Covivant Gallery in Seminole Heights, and many others that work tirelessly to provide exposure to this ever growing group of local artists. They have little to show for it and receive virtually no city recognition.

It is the big guys that are the problem. We have heard so many complaints about the recently concluded Georgia O'Keefe exhibit at the Tampa Museum of Art that is has really gotten our attention.

What is wrong with Georgia O'Keefe ? Nothing. Her works are great. WE LIKE GEORGIA O'KEEFE. BUT from October 2 to January 8th, this highly promoted show stayed pretty scarce of Georgia O'Keefe works. If you went to the museum expecting to really enjoy O'Keefe's works, guess again. You could have counted them all using fingers, no need for any toes in this arithmetic.

The Museum touted their record attendance during that three month show at 24,685. If you figure they could maintain that pace for a year, (which they can't) that would put their annual attendance at about 100,000. Gasparilla will attract many times that many in one day. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers has had a sell out crowd at every game since 1998, with 65,657 seats. Maybe we should scrap the arts and stick with Pirates, Booze, and Football. Will Tampa support the arts and at what cost ? And should they ?

The City currently plans to provide annual funding to the Tampa Museum of Art of $1,000,000 per year to fund a new museum, that means a supplement of at least $10 for every attendee plus an up to $8 admission fee. And do not forget all the corporate and individual sponsors and fundraising events, etc.

The Museum supporters have not been getting along with Mayor Iorio since she tried to be a fiscally responsible elected official and hold them accountable for the financing on the now defunct museum design last year.

Mayor Iorio says "the arts bring people together". As discussion continues on a possible new Tampa Museum of Art, more support for local artists needs to be part of the City's arts agenda. And we don't mean some lame effort that Arts Ybor has become.

We call on the City of Tampa to aggressively provide support to local artists by taking the following steps:
1. allocate the proposed funding for the Tampa Museum of Art to our next five steps until the new museum is completed, then maintain local artists support at $500,000 per year, even if it means reducing support to the Museum by that amount;
2. provide a complete directory of area galleries and artists that is used as a key marketing tool for the City of Tampa. While the Hillsborough County Arts Council does this to some degree, many artists feel excluded by the process. You can visit their site here.
3. provide specific assistance encouraging outdoor arts events at virtually all of Tampa's over 100 city parks, bringing art to the neighborhoods and helping to emphasize the beautiful assets we have in our neighborhood parks. (How about some live outdoor theatre ? St. Pete sure made this work.)
4. assist in the funding and promotion of shows at the various private galleries and theatres throughout the City that emphasizes local artists.
5. whether it be through the Museum or otherwise, encourage more local participation with sponsored juried shows for local artists and with more hands on involvement with beginning artists, including the performing arts.
6. create an artists exhibit at the Tampa Airport to highlight our local artistic community and offerings to visitors and to travelling Tampa residents.

You never know, we might have someone in our midst that could become as famous as Georgia O'Keefe. What value would that have to the City of Tampa ? Let's invest in our local artistic talent with neighborhood based outdoor shows and gallery events. It is money well spent. What do you think ?

A County Mayor ?

In the recent League of Women Voters debate between County Commissioner Rhonda Storms and Attorney Mary Ann Stiles, the issue of an elected County Mayor was clearly defined. It is really a battle of power - the issue of who will actually run the county. Currently 7 elected commissioners (3 elected at large , 4 from individual districts) work as a committee with a paid administrator. The proposed ballot initiative would allow for the elimination of the administrator and the creation of an elected County wide Mayor that would administrate with the direction of the Commission.

Professional - appointed administration OR an elected administration.

There are clear arguments both ways, and of course, remember that either of these decisions can be confused by a really "outstanding" administrator or by a "horribly inept" administrator - either elected or appointed

Over the next few months this issue will be discussed over and over again, what do you think ?

Miners, News, and Technology

The extremely sad story of the 12 miners that died in West Virginia was made considerably worse as a result of the false news leak about their survival. Everyone has to have a pit in their stomach - and their hearts - when hearing of this story.

About midnight the false survival story broke. Now being partially blamed on the poor communications technology from the rescuers to those above ground.

After watching the Orange Bowl Game, I, like most everyone else, went to bed with at least a little relief that 12 were still alive. But as I slept, the truth came out.

As a National Public Radio fan, I was given the horrible truth first thing in the morning. Of course, the Tampa Tribune on my doorstep and the St. Pete Times, like almost every newspaper in the country, were still telling the story of survival that had looked like it was true a few hours before.

Technology has changed the news business forever.

Can you imagine having to wait almost 24 hours later, til tomorrow morning's paper,to get the story of 9/11 ?

Our impatience for news and information is fueled by the huge amount of information available to us at any hour of the day at the end of our keyboards or our remote controls.

Technology has changed the world forever. The horrible shock and disappointment we felt when learning of the miners tragedy a few hours later would only have been made worse if it had taken another 24 hours to learn the truth.

Is it an wonder that newspaper circulation is in decline ? How can they compete with instantaneous pictures and audio when the public wants things NOW !

Lights on Tampa

This weekend will see a new effort begin to transform Downtown Tampa - again.

The idea of a vibrant nightlife in downtown is still only an idea. Lights on Tampa is trying to make a point that it can happen.

Recently over 20 young professionals organizations tried to make that same point at the Downtown after Six event. Several hundred participants came and had a great time. Unfortunately, most businesses closed and the participants walked down many dark streets.

This time the Lights On event is powered by the financial muscle of the Tampa Tribune, TBO, Channel 8, Verizon, and lots more, including the City.

But this time the weather forecasts call for high temperatures not reaching 60 and lows in the 30's - not exactly a lets be outdoors type of forecast.

AND across town the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be playing the Washington Redskins in a playoff battle.

One city council member is said to have called these "complimentary events." Who is she kidding ? Football and Art. Beer and Art. Floridians being outside for 30 degree weather at a football game only to warm up while driving across town to be out in more 30 degree weather ?

The event should still have a moderate success as to attendance, but are the downtown businesses staying open to help make it a success ? We doubt it.

We are extremely bullish on downtown. Should half the proposed developments not happen, downtown is still going to flourish.

We will be at the Lights on Tampa event for you. So come back to Tampagold.com on Monday for the pictures. But if it were really up to me, I would be hanging out at home or a favorite sports bar watching the game where it is warm.