The Creative Currency gold coins are still available at Suntrust Bank and the Bank of Commerce in downtown Sarasota.

PS– go out and use your creative currency! And for those who missed the rally, pictures will be up soon…

Ringling College of Art and Design President, Dr. Larry Thompson, shared his definition of a “creative” at the eMerge arts rally this past weekend and encouraged collaboration as Sarasota County builds its reputation as a creative coast. Citing the importance of an overarching artistic psychology in today’s economy, Dr. Thompson drew rousing cheers from a crowd of students, professionals, and members of the media.

Dr. Thompson was also the first participant in the Creative Currency campaign, exchanging a $100 bill for 100 US Golden dollars coins. Artists, creatives and others employed by Sarasota County’s arts, cultural and creative industries are encouraged to participate in the campaign by paying for goods and services with US Presidential gold dollar coins during the month of May. The campaign’s goal is to generate a widespread community dialog and tangibly illustrate the impact of  the arts, culture and creativity on the local economy.

US Presidential gold coins are available for exchange at the downtown Sarasota branch of SunTrust bank starting Monday, May 11.

The message: “We support the arts because the arts supports us.” The arts have a $120 million impact on Sarasota County’s local economy.
The goal: Emphasis the connection between creatives, arts, culture and the economy.

Help us: Communicate to your constituencies the importance of our visibly on May 9.

Speak out: Post a comment to this blog. Want to do more? Write your elected officials.

Meet us in the Pineapple Day Spa parking lot in Burns Square.
Rally Organizers: Organized by eMerge. eMerge is a community-minded collaboration forging connections between creatives and artists.

Guest Column

working definition from meeting April 14

Calling all eMerging Implementers. Let us know your thoughts on the following definition.

 

eMerge Sarasota seeks to connect with all arts enthusiasts to develop a recognized creative class through shared resources, opportunities and communications.

who: arts enthusiasts.
Both producting artists and creative professionals.

what: eMerge seeks to connect.

why: to develop a recognized creative class.

how: shared resources, opportunities and communication.

Friday, April 17
8 pm – 11 pm
eMerge mixer
Where? The open space next to Art & Frame.
1055 S. Tamiami Trail

Talk is cheap. Inaction is deadly. Let’s eMerge.

Bring your own beverage.

How do we get one of these?

We certainly do not lack vacant office/retail/warehouse space to house such a project.

Now, more than ever, the need for a collaborative approach to supporting local artists and connecting them with the community is apparent. Many artists are frustrated with arts organizations, the community and the public sector. And, what they need is not impossible, expensive or unreasonable. We can get started by merely taking an inventory of who’s out there, pooling resources and also maintaining a positive attitude.

If you weren’t at the Emerge kick-off discussion on Monday, facilitated break-out groups considered solutions and expressed opinions on subjects like collaborating across county lines, listening to independent artists in the public sector and adding art to empty spaces.

In the break-out groups, we tried to focus on next steps to generate a positive impact but the challenges of the past and present were reiterated. While we all know them but they are worth repeating: independent, professional artists and arts organizations are facing more limited resources; independent artists are disenfranchised by the respect given to them in their own “arts” community; frustrated and burned out artists and some of their “Enthusiasts” are no longer willing to advocate or volunteer.

Could “Emerge” be part of the solution?

It was encouraging to hear how productive the table facilitators that led the break-out groups thought the conversations were despite the ups-and-downs. Much thanks to the discussion leaders:

 - Christine Meeker Lange, Ringling College of Art + Design

- Molly Demeulenaere, Rambunkious Productions

- Russ Crumley, the Sarasota County Arts Council

- Diane Shelly, Art Center Manatee

- Michael Chokr, the Diamond Vault

- Tim Jaegar, “emerging” visual artist Meeting notes are pending

Expect the following:

- Revisions to Emerge’s “Mantra” to reflect the consensus in the room. (If there are any writers who would like to “polish” the initial Mantra draft, your talents are needed.)

- A summary of the survey feedback

- A list of the program ideas generated with special attention to those with immediate implications

Here a few comments from participants who emailed me:

“I think it was well received. I would give it a 9 on a 1-10 scale….you guys did a great job. There were two or three people in my last group that did not get it…they beat up the table leader. I sat on the side lines…I did not want to get into it, however, in my opinion, they are the exact problem we are addressing.”

“Let me know when you want to get together. I am happy to help this group get rolling and be part of the core. Emerge is a perfect fit for me.”

“Nice job yesterday. A lot of life in 2 hours. We still have a huge mountain to climb. I would have liked to hear universal town hall-type bitching but in time, perhaps. My pet peeve — to reiterate – is the total dismissal of local, tax-paying [artists].”

To Sarasota’s visual, performing or literary artists — if you wish to join the core group steering the ship as it pulls out of the harbor, now’s the time to get onboard. Please post your interest to the blog and we’ll keep you updated on next steps and work groups.

Talk is cheap. Inaction is deadly. Let’s Emerge.
Connect “emerging” artists and the community to truly create a creative class.