Seeing as we are all in a patriotic mood, let's celebrate American art and the creative spirit of Americans which has resulted in the creative industries accounting for about 6% of the country's GDP and making creative products/ services one of our largest export sectors.  The nonprofit arts industry in America alone generates over $162 Billion dollars in economic activity every year throughout the nation and about $250 Million of that is generated in our region.

Here in the Hudson River Valley celebrating American creativity is easy. Not only does our region have a significant cultural legacy as the birthplace of American landscape painting -- home of Frederic Church, Thomas Cole and others – but the region continues to draw some of America's greatest living visual artists including Ellsworth Kelly, Brice Marden, Annie Liebowitz, and Jenny Holtzer just to name a few of the most recognizable artists.  The list could go on and on to include great writers, architects, filmmakers, actors, dancers, musicians, industrial designers, fashion designers, traditional artisans and more. These are the folks who are the drivers of the creative sector -- the generators of the American imagination which inspires billions of people from countries across the globe.

I am emphasizing the economic and global impact of the arts over the aesthetic and spiritual value here to underscore what this country could loose if we allow the arts to diminish here due to lack of arts education, cultural literacy, and engagement. 

Right now the American imagination is dominant in the world as evidenced by the unceasing appetite for content generated here on our shores (TV shows, popular music, movies, clothing, buildings, advertising campaigns etc.), but our continued dominance in this area is not guaranteed.   Recent news items emphasize America's cultural slide:  in a recent New York Times article (http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/
travel/22berlin.html?ref=travel) reporter Sam Sifton wrote, "With a gallery on nearly every street, great opera …, [Berlin] has become the world's cultural capital." And a recent NPR series profiled Chinese artists who are utilizing the internet to create and distribute their art work. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/
story.php?storyId=91839214) In one interview a young musician said, "I know that in the minds of many foreigners, China is the world's factory but that is not the image the Chinese government would like to project to the world."

It is well known that both China and India realize that while technical proficiency in many professions is important, creativity is a key ingredient to economic success in the 21st Century. Both nations are working to encourage creativity and innovation in their countries and particularly in their schools. If these efforts are successful and we retreat from our support of the arts and creativity, America may loose its front runner status on the cultural front which could have a real impact on our future.

So along the theme of "think globally, act locally", on this July 4th, I encourage you to be patriotic by finding new ways to engage with the arts in your community: buy art created by local artists; volunteer or contribute to your favorite arts organization; support your local school's efforts to increase the arts for all students; and even ask your employer to incorporate more art into training and continuing education programs. Lets keep America creative!

Have a great holiday.   

Benjamin Krevolin
President
Dutchess County Arts Council

posted 6/27/2008

The art-buying waters are perfect at this time of year and the Arts Council can help you take the plunge with our Art 101 Buying Guide written especially for you, the art curious.  So read on to learn more about the art of buying art!

First and most important – if you love something, go for it! Art is all about your personal taste and emotional experience, so don’t be shy if you really want that painting or photograph. And definitely don’t be afraid to ask questions! Art is meant to inspire conversation, and most artists appreciate the opportunity to talk about their work. If you are purchase-shy though and feel intimidated by some of the unfamiliar art terms, we have some pointers and definitions that will build your art-buying confidence.

Click here to get a list of terms and

buying tips.

“There is no right or wrong way to buy art. I like to buy images that evoke a feeling a feeling or an emotional response. It could be any medium or subject matter as long as I like and find it visually appealing,” - Besty Jacaruso

“People sometimes say that they don’t feel qualified to make a decision about whether or not a work of art is good...but most important, buyers should trust their intuition: if they love a piece, they will enjoy it, and that’s the most valuable aspect of owning art that I can think of.” – Linda Piuatti

“If one doesn’t have confidence in his or her own eye then what fun would collecting be?” – Jack Banning

“Some artists don’t consider photography an ‘art’…but to truly capture the essence of light and emotion, [it] takes talent, practice, hard work and knowledge…Photography gives us views of ourselves, our world in its own unique way.” – Linda Hubbard

Dan Goldman
Photographer

"Merced" by Dan Goldman

Dan Goldman is an award winning commercial and fine art photographer, photographic teacher and documentary filmmaker working in Rhinebeck, New York.  He co-founded the Rhinebeck Photography and Art Center in Rhinebeck last year, where he teaches digital photography, Photoshop and lighting workshops.   His commercial work has been published in national magazines, newspapers and galleries. Presently, he’s working on a documentary giving voice to the Native American elders throughout  the United States.

Meet Dan and learn more about his work at the Barrett Art Center's Artist's Salon, Thursday, June 26, 8pm, at the Muddy Cup Coffee House, 305 Main St., Poughkeepsie.

You can also visit his web site at
www.goldmanstudios.com.

To learn more about the Rhinebeck Photography and Art Center visit
www.rhinebeckphotoarts.com

Application seminar: 
Wed., June 25, 5:30 – 7:30,
Red Parlor, Cunneen Hackett Arts Center,
9 Vassar Street, Poughkeepsie

The Arts Fund Individual Artists’ Fellowship Program has been established to provide support to individuals living in Dutchess County who are in the developmental phase of a career as a creative artist.  Modeled after the Individual Artists’ Fellowship Program of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), these awards are geared toward supporting artists’ career development, rather than project support.

Click on "Arts Council Grants" above for guidelines and application.

The Arts Council is currently soliciting nominations from the community.  Artists and organizations from any discipline may be nominated.  Finalists and recipients will be chosen based upon the level of their artistry, commitment to the community, and recognition in the field locally, nationally and internationally. 

Click on "Arts Council Grants" above for nomination form and guidelines or call 845-454-3222.

Members and contributors receive Artscene automatically by mail.  To automatically receive each issue, click on the "Contribute Now" button at the top of the page to become a member.

To receive a complimentary copy of the Summer 2008 guide send us an email with your mailing address to:  info@artsmidhudson.org (please reference "Artscene Request" in the subject line ) or call 845-454-3222.