LBPOST.com: Are You An Arts Patron?

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Are You An Arts Patron?

by Sander Wolff | Culture Agent | 12.02.09 |

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Every once in a while someone will say to me, "If you don't do 'A' or 'B', then you're not really an arts patron." Being a thoughtful person, I don't dismiss these comments but, rather, reflect and consider their merit. Should I allow someone else to define my own passions, interests, or level of participation in the cultural landscape that I so dearly cherish?

It is true that I've not been to any local theater performances in a while. I like theater. I do. For some reason, however, I just don't go. I love live music and, although I don't make it out as often as I used to, I still manage to catch local performances from time to time. I don't go to many gallery openings either, but have recently been to the University Art Museum's exhibition of 77 Million Paintings at least 3 times, and will try to make it back before they close for the year. I've also caught shows at the LBMA, but haven't been to MOLAA in a while.

I love orchestral music, and opera, but haven't been to many local performances of either. The last opera I attended was in LA, a production of Camille Saint-Sa�ns' wonderfully impressionistic Samson et Dalila, featuring an electrifying performance by Denyce Graves. You can rest assured, however, that I'll be first in line to see the Long Beach Opera's production of Nixon in China.

I spend most of my time talking with people involved in the arts and, when I'm not doing that, I'm being an artist myself. Everyone needs to find their own level, their own way to sustain the passions they have for arts and culture. I think it important, too, that we recognize the local riches we have in our City, and understand that one need not wander too far beyond one's doorstep to discover a wealth of talent, energy, and excitement. Should you, or I, allow anyone to define our level of commitment to anything? I say, "no."

Related Stories: Ain Soph Aur, UAM, Long Beach Opera, Garage Theatre, Long Beach Symphony, DDR Projects

Comments

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9 Comments so far.

Scott Blumenthal
I agree. It is difficult at best to find the time to do all. There is so much happening on any given day makes it nice to choose from but hard to do all. It's a nice problem to have! Nice little article!

GLarryR
Don't forget Musical Theatre West. Their next production of RENT opens one week from Friday Dec. 11th at the Carpenter Center. This is an opportunity to view a more modern and edgey musical. Art is what you make it and can be very personal. Take time to view or see or hear. You will be better for it.

Jane
What about one of the oldest Arts groups in the City, The Long Beach Playhouse. Going on 80 years of continuous entertainment. Currently showing Rabbit Hole in the Studio theatre and Lutz Radio Hour on our Mainstage.

choraler
Local music! The Long Beach Chorale is performing at Grace First Presbyterian on Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. You can buy tickets online! Website: www.longbeachchorale.org

Ed
Sander, we can choose which arts we enjoy; however, most are not economically sustainable on their own and many have financial problems. Most arts organizations see each other as competitors for financial donations -- Paul at MTW is an exception. We all need to make more effort to enjoy more art and the organizations need to assist each other's attendance as LB just does not have the high net worth donors that LA and OC enjoy.

Sander
Thanks for all the great responses. To Ed, I think there is indeed an opportunity for arts organizations, and individual artists, to support each other through cross-promotions. During the recent GLOBAL celebration in October, I was heartened to see institutions big and small working together, sharing resources, and helping spread the word about the amazing cultural resources our City has to offer. I have said in the past that "every month is Arts month." I wish we had the vision and resources to expand the scope of collective cooperation beyond October, and make it a day-to-day paradigm. Still, we need to celebrate the small steps made in the right direction.

Betty Karnette
Art is human communication and as art emerged so did civilization. All cultures express themselves through some form of art. I feel that all art MUST be supported and Long Beach and every citizen has something to offer - whether it be financial or otherwise. I chaired the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media in 2007-08. It was an experience which, I feel, helped me become more of a 'renaissance' woman.

Rick Berry
That's another great thing about Long Beach. Always more choices than a person can get around to, and such a wide array!

Ted Warkentin
Let me enthusiastically second choraler's comment. Long Beach Chorale is doing a wonderful set of Winter music featuring Randall Thompson's Frostiana...a gorgeous setting of Robert Frost poetry that contemplates snowy woods, and the mysteries of a star. Get information at www.longbeachchorale.org

Culture Agent

Sander lives with his wife, step-daughter, two dogs, two cats, two fish, and two aquatic frogs. He's an avid nature photographer, and enjoys creating close-up images of flowers and plants.

Sander Roscoe Wolff is a musician, artist, and was co-founder and Executive Director of LongBeachCulture.org, the City's first comprehensive, and free, arts portal.

He has served on the boards of the 2nd City Council Art Gallery + Performance Space and the East Village Arts District, curated a 6 month gallery exhibition in the Long Beach World Trade Center, and produced Songs For Bethune, a CD of original and traditional holiday songs by local artists, to raise funds for the Arts Council's Passport to the Arts program.

His work has been featured in local gallery exhibitions, in SoundWalk, and L.A. Siggraph's Photon Ballet. His current music project is Ain Soph Aur, a systems based improvisational duo.