Syracuse is fortunate to now have a Public Arts Commission in recognition of the fact that art – and the creative people it attracts – make for a healthier, more economically viable city. Why? Because we’re human and we want to have fun, enjoy beauty, get our thoughts provoked once in awhile, and feel like we average folks can enjoy some excellence in the cultural life of the city. People want to live in a city that treats them like people. And people come to a city to see art… and spend money while they’re there.
Today, the Common Council appointed the director and curator of the Warehouse Gallery, Astria Suparak, to the Public Arts Commission. Too bad she may not be around for the full three years’ stint to grace the Commission with her ability to connect with city organizations, businesses and residents. Her superior at S.U., Jeffrey Hoone, fired her last week for reasons yet to be revealed. The arts communities in the city, on the hill, in other states and even in other countries are outraged, as are many of us residents who appreciate what Astria has done in her one short year here. If a creative person of her excellent international reputation is so shabbily treated here in Syracuse, who on earth are we going to get next?
If you care about encouraging creative people to stay in Syracuse, and if you care about Syracuse’s reputation in the world – now sullied by this action – and if you care about Syracuse University reflecting its chancellor’s reminder that “democracy requires that every voice have access to the circle where ideas, opinions and outlooks are exchanged and decisions are made…”, visit these two websites for further information and let your voice be heard:
Help Create Democracy 2.0
Week Released: September 17-21, 2007
The Millennial Generation, including myself, is interested in being an
active part of changing public policy. This interest led me to be a part of
Mobilize.org¹s Democracy 2.0 Campaign.
On July 4, Mobilize.org began the Democracy 2.0 project to call attention to
the ways that our democratic process and institutions are properly serving
and failing to serve the interests of Americans, specifically young
Americans. The purpose of Democracy 2.0 is to call attention to the main
problems of our current political system, highlight the distinct
characteristics of the Millennial Generation, and provide guidelines for
change to help cultivate a renewed political process in America.
Currently, our political system is trying to manage a 21st century society
with 18th century political institutions. Democracy 2.0 will upgrade our
current political system, empowering citizens to identify community
problems, propose solutions, be a part of the implementation of these
solutions, and change the way politics is done in this country.
To begin this endeavor, Mobilize.org asked a series of questions and
collected data from youth, ages 16-30 that will be reviewed and evaluated by
Democracy 2.0 Ambassadors at the Democracy 2.0 Summit on October 3, 2007,
with the intention of releasing the Democracy 2.0 Declaration of Our
Generation. The Declaration of our Generation is a short statement of
principles describing a citizen-centered approach to democracy. The
Declaration will focus on three themes: 1) What currently works and what
does not work in our democracy; 2) What defines our generation; and 3) What
Democracy 2.0 should look like.
The Declaration will call attention to areas in which the government is
succeeding and failing to serve the public interest, highlight the unique
and defining characteristics of our generation, and provide guidelines that
will serve as a call to action for American citizens to help create this
renewed form of democracy.
I wanted to mention this opportunity since every posting here has an
interest in this. Mobilize.org is looking for people who want to serve as
Democracy 2.0 Online Ambassadors to be a part of the drafting process. If
you have any questions, please shoot me an e-mail at brendan.chan@mail.utexas.edu.
Lonnie even though we are not Syracuse residents yet I could not agree more with this post. I had not heard about the recent news out of S.U but know her reputation as an arts lover myself. I firmly believe cities cannot thrive and have the kind of progressive cultural experience without the arts. I wish more people like you and the folks on this site realized that. I look forward to spreading this word when we become residents. Syracuse has so much to offer, people should be interested in making it even better.