In October 2010, MALI Class 3 traveled to San Diego to conduct a community forum for artists. Our objective was to obtain input from artists regarding their thoughts on the state of San Diego's arts community, what artists need in various stages of their careers, and what they felt an ideal arts community in their region would look like.
In preparation for the community forum, Felicia Shaw, Director of Arts and Culture at the San Diego Foundation arranged site visits to various locations central to arts activity. We visited Glashaus in the Barrio Logan district, Space 4 Art in the East Village, the Art Produce Gallery in North Park, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. We had the opportunity to speak with area arts leaders, administrators, and artists about their respective work and their opinions about what artists in the San Diego need to succeed. We documented what we learned about each location through written reflections and video.
At the community forum, more than 30 artists participated in a facilitated discussion. They shared thoughts about what they felt worked well for artists in San Diego, articulated what they needed to continue to thrive, and envisioned a dream for an artist-friendly San Diego. We recorded their thoughts and ideas in detail, and our notes are documented in this blog.
We thank the San Diego Foundation and Felicia Shaw for the opportunity to learn more about the region's arts community.
