Executive Director's Letter
October 21, 2014
Last Friday, I had the honor of speaking at UMBC’s grand opening of its beautiful, new Performing Arts and Humanities Building. Mark Beachy from Maryland Theatre Guide was kind enough to record all of the inspiring remarks made at the event. You can view Mark’s photos and hear excerpts from his recording here.
For this week’s newsletter, I wanted to share some of my comments from the grand opening here with you:
The Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance was established thirteen years ago by artists and organizations so they could work together toward common goals and speak with a unified voice. GBCA is lucky to work with members and partners like UMBC and others...
I know the commitment, political capital and sheer force of will that was required to see this important project through the recession and so many other statewide economic pressures. Those of us working in Baltimore’s culture community are grateful for your foresight and tenacity and that of the amazing elected officials represented here because you are disciples of the whole student, placing the arts and humanities on an equal footing with STEM programming—right where it should be…
… Arts and humanities not only teach us about the world, they teach us how to be IN the world. You have probably heard the statistics that children who experience arts education, music, have stronger academic success and a greater commitment to their education. But did you know that studies show they are also more engaged in their communities? At a time when society feels more fractured than ever, artists and creative thinkers not only have a seat at the table; they are or can be the ones who SET the table for greater understanding and increased connections.
Well before Ebola dominated the headlines, artist Lance Weiler created an experiential, multimedia work that engaged people, mostly strangers who worked together over 120 hours to halt an imaginary pandemic. Maybe he’s got some ideas for us.
Right here in Reservoir Hill well before Furguson, young filmmakers at New Lens Productions were working in partnership with City police to increase sensitivity to young people. Maybe they have some ideas for us.
In East Baltimore, muralist Stephen Powers has reminded us that neighborhoods filled with vacant rowhouses are still home to the people who live there. Maybe they have some ideas for us.
One thing you can be sure of, students and faculty using this wonderful space to play Shostakovich, beatbox, or read Homer—those guys? —well, we should be listening because they are going to have some ideas for us.
A big thanks to UMBC for helping to keep the ideas coming and contributing to our amazing cultural community—some of those ideas just might save the world.
Have a great week,
Jeannie
P.S. Did you hear that MacArthur "Genius Grant" award-winner Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process training program is coming to Baltimore? As part of GBCA’s professional development services, Ms. Lerman and John Borstel will personally conduct training sessions that will include a large group introduction to the practice a small group intensive and the opportunity for up to four individual to themselves become trainers.
The first session will take place on Wednesday, October 29 at 6:30pm at The Baltimore Design School. Liz Lerman will lead a free, introductory session on Critical Response Process for 75 to 80 participants. You can find additional details and information about the program on the GBCA website and RSVP to the October 29 event here.
P.P.S. Also on Wednesday, October 29 at 5pm, I encourage my fellow arts advocates to attend a hearing of the Education and Youth Committee at Council Chambers in City Hall, 4th floor for the purpose of requesting that Baltimore City Public Schools report to the City Council on whether a complete education is being provided to students in City public schools, including the availability of arts education. The hearing will also be televised on CHARM TV 25.
