Fund Raising Makes the (Art) World Go 'Round

"It doesn’t matter what the critics think, keep making more art."
~ Andy Warhol

COMING SOON

TO A DEPOT NEAR YOU

It's well known in arts circles that our museums and much of our arts culture is dependent on the generosity of the community.

The Masquerade Gala's costume theme this year is Pop Art.

The Duluth Art Institute's programs and services are made possible by the Duluth Superior Community Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, The Depot Foundation, the Minnesota State Arts Board and a multitude of other generous sources. Whether high art or grass roots in origin, artists bring value to communities everywhere.

In 2015, Creative Minnesota released a report showing the economic impact the arts have on our region. It was one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind. In writing about this I noted, "The foremost finding was that the arts has an economic impact of 1.2 billion dollars on the state of Minnesota, up 43% since 2006. According to the study 62,378 volunteers gave more than 2.7 million volunteer hours in a year."
(Read: The Economic Power of Arts and Culture in the Northland)

On one level this is exciting. On another level, it's an incomplete picture because the implication is that art only has value in terms of economics. That is similarly what is wrong with a society that places value on human beings only for their utilitarian contributions. Such logic applied in full leads to the elimination of the elderly, handicapped and mentally ill.

Fortunately, we find this kind of utilitarian view of humans to be abhorrent. By extension, our creative expressions have value beyond the economic.

It's my personal conviction that as persons created in the image of God, we are endowed with an innate creative spirit that strives for expression. Check out this passage from the Book of Exodus:

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.” Exodus 31:1-6

"What's With Andy?" by Ed Newman

This does not mean everyone is "called" to be an artist or craftsmen. It does, however, show that exercising our artistic gives can be a calling, that artists are an important part of a community and for those so called we need to support them.

I am personally inspired by and grateful for the murals that have been appearing in various parts of our city. Their value can't be measured in economic terms. Or rather, their value goes far beyond the retail value of the paint and the wages paid to an artist.

ALL THIS TO SAY there is a Masquerade Gala fundraising event November 2 in the Great Hall. It's a Pop Art theme. Will we see Andy? Roy Lichtenstein? Here's a page of Pop Art images that may trigger a costume idea or two.

November 2, 5 PM, St. Louis County Depot

506 W Michigan St, Duluth

FULL DETAILS HERE

Related Links
Pop Evolution at the Tweed
The Andy Warhol Museum: Reflections of the Contemporary American Soul