Cincinnat: Arts Mecca of the Midwest?

Last week I attended the Quality of Life meeting at City Council with several other classmates. Tom Mariner of Express Magazine gave a very compelling and intelligent presentation about the Cincinnati arts scene that I found both inspiring and disheartening in many ways. His presentation brought up many good points about the way that Cincinnat is viewed by "outsiders" and residents alike and as a future arts administrator, I believe that they way we approach these factors could truly affect our the success of our organizations. I'd like to discuss several of Mariner's key points here and how they relate to the arts.



1. Cincinati Chamber Website

Mariner points out that the Chamber website promises that Cincinnati has "Something for Everyone!" which really translates to most readers to mean there is "Nothing for me." The "something for everyone" catchphrase means we really don't know who the hell we are as a city, and therefore, choose to take the easy way out. People are attracted to activities that make them feel special, where they can express their individualism and uniqueness, yet also feel that they are part of a larger group on some level. The arts has this ability. Vast experiences, repertoire, and interpretations of performing and visual arts allows audience members to express their individuality yet still participate on a group level. Tom Mariner is right. The arts would be a GREAT solution to this problem.



2. CinciUSA.com

This website claims Cincinnati as the "Arts Mecca of the Midwest." I have to say, I agree. Where else in the midwest (besides Chicago) can you find a Tony award winning regional theatre, one of the top 10 orchestras in the country, an opera company that attracts the biggest names in the business season after season, ...that is just the bare surface of what Cincinnati has to offer. However, no one knows it. What is Cincinnati known for? Not all of this great arts and culture, (which, considering the size of the city is pretty freaking remarkable) but it's ragtag losing football team which can't seem to keep it's players out of jail. And the Reds. Alright, I'll give you that one. Sometimes the Reds actually make me proud to live here. But only sometimes. The arts, however, make me proud to live here ALL the time. I constantly find myself defending Cincinnati to people who call it the "Nasty" or complain that there isn't anything to do here. When I do go into defense mode, I find myself using arts as the prime example. Since the city itself seems to be focused on promoting the aforementioned sports teams (which aren't really doing much to improve the nickname of CinciNasty, I should add) it seems to fall to US to promote the arts here. And by us, I mean all lovers of the arts. Why is it that our society chooses to see a losing football team of criminals as a necessity, but the arts, which promote communication, community, and enligthenment are seen as expendable? (Thesis paper anyone?)



3. Branding

Mariner talks about how Cincinati should use the arts as part of the branding of the city. In his presentation, he describes that branding involves:
1. A story
2. A promise to be true to who we are
3. A unique set of assets and attributes.

Once again, Mariner is right on the money. The arts provide all of these things for Cincinnati. Certainly more history and better stories than anything else in this city, with the exception of Oktoberfest perhaps. The arts and arts leaders in this city are always true to who we are (we have to be-we actually have missions and all that crazy stuff) and certainly the arts provide a unique set of assets and attributes.

So what is City Council waiting for?