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A+ Art Blog 2024
PATRICIA FRISCHER, the coordinator of the San Diego Visual Arts Network, writes these occasional notes. These blogs are now available at this link where you can comment back.To leave a comment about this blog or see other comments, please go to the A+ Art Blog Spot Link. and/or add commnents on our Picked RAW Peeled blog site.


Click on the titles above the photos to see the articles on the blog website.

Archived A+ Art Blogs

Current and Past 2024 A+Art Blogs

Patricia Frischer State of the Arts Advocacy, LIFE Lecture
State Funding Proposed Cut for the Arts
Public Art: A cry from the heart.
Affordable Housing for Artists in your Cultural Districts and Patricia Frischer, Woman of Impact 2024
Silent Conversations
Why weren’t we asked?
2024 State of the Arts



Patricia Frischer State of the Arts Advocacy, LIFE Lecture

In this hour lecture, you can learn about all the Advocacy issues that are currently affecting the arts in the county of San Diego. There is also a presentation of some of the visual arts exhibitions on view in SD for the summer and fall of 2024. This is presented by Patricia Frischer coordinator/founder of the San Diego Visual ArtsNetwork and Interim Chairman of North County Arts Network. The lecture was video tapped at MiraCosta College in Oceanside by the LIFE Organization.

Advocacy issues covered are:
Civic Arts
Public Arts
Affordable Housing for Arts through Cultural District
Government Funding

Exhibitions areas covered are: In North County Now
In Central San Diego Now
In the whole county for the summer
Future exhibitions to watch for in the fall

There is a particularly interesting question and answer period at the end of the lecture not to be missed.
CLICK HERE FOR UTUBE



State Funding Proposed Cut for the Arts

The California Arts Council (CAC) has been in the news recently because of possible 58% cuts in the budget of the organization. This was fully discussed at a public meeting on Friday, May 24 from noon to 4…yes four hours. Here are some of the highlights.

The CAC seems to be against the recently proposed possibility of being relocated within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. (GoBiz) They want more information and want to remain independent.

There has been no great explanation of why the move is proposed except to consolidate expenses and a slight possible suggestion that this office would give a higher profile to the CAC. This umbrella organization has other commissions, but the only others arts one is the Film Commission. It was stated that the CAC vision and mission would not be changed.

If this move does happen, then having the budget cut at the same time seems counter intuitive. Being acknowledged as part of economic development, then why would the arts not get more funding instead of less?

Right now, CAC is an independent commission and it is much more than just an economic driver. There are health, education, and health benefits. Becoming part of the Office of Business and Economic Development adds another layer of administration that might slow down all the effectiveness of the organization. So, the majority of the council states that the move has to be researched more and not a quick decision especially without the input of the Council itself.

Please note that the new San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture here is also under a business and economic development department in our county.

The cuts of the budget that are proposed are $10M reduction in Local Assistance (grant programs) plus a state wide cut of 7.9% for all administration cost.

The past budget was $27m with $10m taken away and a commitment is already made for $6M for General operating grants, that leaves only $4m for new grants.

There was a committee formed on the request of the state staff to make suggestion of how to deal with this $10M loss. These kind of policy decisions are made with rigorous regard to equity.

The suggestion was that general operating funds (GEN) grants will be closed for Tier 2 and 3 (i.e. organization with budgets $250K to $1.5M). Only tier one grants will be considered.

Instead, application for other types of grants will have the deadline extended from June 6 to June 20. This is the give time for those who had submitted GEN grant in tier 2 and 3 be able to rewrite them (with aid and guidance from CAC) to other needs and programs.

There was large public input from many arts organizations in person in LA and online. Many just cried for the cuts not to be made. But a few gave good advice: the best one recommended don’t make it easy for the cuts to happen by accommodating those cuts!

So, when the CAC had to vote on the proposal to stop funding tier 2 and 3, they voted 4 for and 4 against which means there was not a majority so the proposal did not pass. Because it did not pass, they could not vote on the extension of timing on the grants.

I believe the issue is now in the hands of those who will advocate for no cuts directly to the Governor. We will be turning to CA for the Arts for more information on advocating. Hopefully, our own SD Art Matters will be a leader for our county as they our regional arts advocacy organization.




Public Art: A cry from the heart

The Encinitas City Council approved two of Deanne Sabeck's glass and metal sculptures in a meeting at the beginning of April. One will go at the entrance to Oakcrest Park at 1219 Encinitas Blvd and the other at the southeast corner of Newcastle Avenue and Liverpool Drive in Cardiff by the Sea, across the street from the Cardiff Library. Both of these works, that were presented anonymously to the public, got very high ratings. Another sculpture by Peter Mitten was accepted for placement at the new Pacific View Arts Center that will open later this year as well as Bunny Serenade by Adrian Litman for the pad at Little Oaks Equestrian Park in Olivenhain on Lone Jack Road.

But two other sites will remain empty. The Encinitas Commission for Arts and Culture chose other art works for these sites taking into consideration the public comments and ratings, but the council deemed to decide for what might be personal reasons, that these artists were not suitable, ignoring the recommendation of their professional body of experts.

This is not an isolated problem. Cities with no art master plans and cities with no coherent public art plan often run into divided opinions about how art in the public realm should be chosen and funded. We have seen examples of how major works of art by renowned creators are turned away by cautious politicians who are out of their league when judging art. The latest fiasco was in Del Mar when the Isamu Noguchi’s sculpture worth half a million dollars was rejected.READ MORE

 

Affordable Housing for Artists in your Cultural Districts and Patricia Frischer, Woman of Impact 2024

The new AB 812 bill approved Oct 11 by the governor and authored by Tasha Boerner allows cities and/or counties to give up to 10% of its very low, low, or moderate-income housing to eligible artists as long as they are within one-half mile from a state-designated cultural district or within a locally designated cultural district if certain income and occupation conditions are met.

We asked Edwin Borbon, Legislative Director for the office of Assemblymember Tasha Boerner to clarify a number of questions we had.  He gave me a very complete explanation which helped me understand so much more clearly about AB 812. We think this is valuable information especially as it clarifies that any city can designate a cultural district. This does not have to be a state designation. And that any city that wants to avail themselves of having artists present in their low income housing projects, a known way to elevate the value of the area, can avail themselves of this 10% advantage.READ MORE



Silent Conversations

Front Porch Gallery , in collaboration with  Surfing Madonna Oceans Project is holding the fourth annual  Save the Ocean art and poetry exhibition through Feb. 29, 2024. In conjunction with this exhibition, a Ekphrastic Poetry Writing and Collage Workshop was held. That means the poetry is inspired by a work of art and that part of the workshop was led convincingly by Dr. Marit Anderson. Cathy Carey, the new Director of the Front Porch Gallery, led the collage component. READ MORE

Why weren’t we asked?

The big question is always how do I get funding or help for my cause? Although the answer is often “get involved”, the feeling is often ‘why weren’t we asked?”.

So I am going to spell it out here. To get involved you have to volunteer your time, energy or even some inkind service. You don’t wait to be asked. You seek out opportunities to collaborate. When you volunteer you meet other committee members and volunteers and you get to really know them if you make an effort. You can then start to create a network of advisors and supporters.

You find out about volunteer opportunities and calls for by reading newsletters and social media. So you have to sign up for those from groups that interest you and you have to actually read those newsletters. (like the twice monthly SDVAN message: sign up now if you have done so). But you don’t have to wait for a call for volunteers/artists, you can suggest a gap that you see that you could fill. You could have a vision for a strategic plan. You could write up a report for use in a grant. You could curate am exhibition. You might even be able to collaborate with that organization to do a joint grant.

And I am not talking about just arts organizations, but also civic agencies and not even just arts commissions but maybe public safety commissions or planning commissions. You could join the local tourist association or the chamber of commerce.

This all takes time and effort, and you have to be willing to give in order to get. Never wait to be asked or you will end up asking, Why weren’t we asked?”





2024 State of the Arts

There are environmental disasters, financial uncertainty with high inflation, post COVID impact and ongoing wars in the Ukraine and Israel/Palestine as well as a controversial upcoming election, is CRISIS also the defining word of the state of the arts?

In San Diego, we have two fabulous new developments. The county came together to produce the first county wide AEP6 Arts and Economic Prosperity report (joint public presentation of results on Jan 24, 10 – 12:30 at MOPA) and the county supervisors approved the formation of a new Commission of Arts and Culture which is well on its way to producing a strategic plan. READ MORE

 

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Archived A+ Art Blog

2023 past A+ Art Blogs including:
Legacy
Advocacy Issues for the region of San Diego , Illustrations by Keith Haring (Broad Museum)
Our Hats are Off to our Volunteers and Supporters
Diary of a Clearance Fiend, London, 2023
SDVAN/Synergy 20th Anniversary Celebration HATS ON!Black Women Artists in the Marketplace
California Creative Corp in San Diego
State of the Arts 2023- DEI, Money for the Arts and Women Arts Leaders

2022 past A+ Art Blogs including:
Partying with No Purpose
ArtsVote - Make Your Vote Count
Ayad Akhtar gives the Nancy Hanks Lecture and SD Design Week Collectors

What the NFT?
Uninformed and Not Stupid?
Summary of the New Ordinance for an office of Arts and Culture at the county level.
Support for the Arts at the County Level
How are the arts doing: Americans for the Arts Survey?
Arts and Culture Center for Encinitas
Gator Aid : An upcycle rescue story
State of the Arts 2022: Hurry up and Slow Down

2021 past A+ Art Blogs Including
SDVAN New Normal Cookbook: Eating Your Art In
Selling the Soul
California Creative Corps Pilot Program Development Update
A Red Letter Day with the passage of a proposal for a County Commission for Arts and Culture
The Blue Economy
Desperate Times
VAPA Asks: What is your superpower?

On the Occasion of our 200th SDVAN RAW Column
Simply the Best: A Step Too Far and actually quite dangerous!
A Tale of Two Learnings
Finger on the Pulse
State of the Arts 2021: San Diego Creative Industry by the Numbers

2020 past A+ Art Blogs including
Artist Guide to Surviving the Pandemic: 5 things you can do which will keep you working
Understanding AB 2257, Follow Up Legislation to AB 5, and Its Impact on the Arts Sector
Guiding Principles and Manifestos
San Diego + Imperial counties Regional Conversation Summary
2020 Brain Candy: A Virtual Salon Series – The Curators
The Power of Art Part 2
The Power of Art
It's Not Easy, Being Difficult

Remember when Corona was a Cigar or a Beer
Constance White at The Residency Project in Pasadena
The Role of the Arts in Defining Democracy
State of the Arts California, 2020


2019 past A+ Art Blogs including
Who wants to be a millionaire artist?
Immigration, Migration, Integration: SD Chinese Historical Museum
Isolationist or Globalist?
Ocular Artist
Birthing a New Art Organization
Three Things You Need to Know
Passport to Dance produced by Encinitas Friends of the Arts
Life Doesn't Frighten Me: Hope Inspired through Art at Fallbrook Library

The Cotwolds: Purton and Cirencester

Modern Couples at the Barbican
Great Big Indian Wedding: Cultural event that ends my year!
India: Monuments and Museums

India: Modern and Contemporary Art

Barnsley House Hotel and Spa

State of Mind, State of the Arts, 2019

2018 past A+ Art Blogs including
Politics and Art: Don't forget the we are human seeking connections
VOTE Like your life depended on it
Ten Reason to Support the Arts
North County Arts Events: Lux Art Couture and SD Botanic Gardens
Look at #Me,Too
Men on Boats at new Village Arts, Carlsbad until April 22
State of the Arts 2018
Outside Mullingar from the Oceanside Theater Co. at Brooks Historic Thea


2017 past A+ Art Blogs including:
End of Year NCAN Arts and Economic Summit Take Aways
SDVAN Giving Tuesday
Patricia Frischer: London Post Script 2017
Patricia Frischer: London Letter, Part 1, 2017
Patricia Frischer: London Letter, Part 2, 2017
Patricia Frischer: London Letter, Part 3, 2017

Patricia Frischer: London Letter, Part 4, 2017
Flash Forward at Oceanside Museum of Art
I matter
Desert X: a close by way to see large scale art
Off with the new, on with the old
Passing on a legacy
Empowering Advocacy
Walker Art Center, Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis and The Broad in LA

State of the Arts/State of the Website 2017

I matter
Off with the new, on with the old
Empowering Advocacy

2016 Past A+Art Blogs including
State of the Arts 2016
What is the What of What
London Journal March 2016
Today San Diego, Tomorrow the World
1000 Words! Where is a picture when you need it?
Five trends in Social Innovation
August Challenges
Art of Science Learning Proof of Impact..The Facts, just the facts
Old Fashion or Out of Fashion
Annual San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) Workshop
Can Falling Behind, Put You Ahead

2015 Past A+ Art Blog including
North County arts Network meeting at CCAE in Escondido
True Collaboration Means Sharing Credit
Why San Diego needs an County Arts Council
Hobby Store Heaven
State of the Arts: Are these the Questions for 2015?
Scaling Up and Out: The changing audience for the arts
Spoiled for Choice equals a Guilt Free Art Life
Changes to the SD Art Prize
Naimeh Tahna Woodard: Queen of  Parties and Art Supporter par Excellence
In Praise of Saying Thank You
Maker’s Spaces
Art Makes things Strange : Looking at and Talking About Art
Thankful for STEM into STEAM
Your Donations Make a Difference

2014 Past A+ Art Blog including
Mural by Paola Villasenor at SDAI and Art Fair Miami
Turn on, chill out and Pop up
Incubator for Innovation - final 9 teams for San Diego
London Journal 1: Tate Britain Folk Art
London Journal 2: Horst at the Victoria and Albert Museum
London Journal 3:Today's Special: Pace Gallery, Tate Modern Matisse
London Journal 4: National Portrait Gallery and Saatchi
London Journal 5: London Fashion Week and London Design Show at Tent and Super Brands
London Journal 6: Gilbert and George, Boyd and Evans, Anslem Kiefer and AI WEIWEI
A Call to Action
SD Fringe Festival Art Exhibition at Ten Street Art Center
ILLUSION: Nothing Is As It Seems at the Ruben H. Fleet Science Museum
Deborah DeLisi and One Minute Mandalas at SDVAN sponsored Mission Federal ArtWalk
DNA of Creativity Introduction at Oceanside Museum of Art
Notes on Aesthetics and Authenticity Symposium
SD Art Prize has its roots in the Turner Prize


2013 Past A+Art Blog including
State of the Arts: The Rise of the Living Artist, 2013
New Art at the SD Airportt: Flying High
San Diego Incubator for Innovation
Arts Leaders Motivations
Politics and Art in San Diego
Art Eats Food
Alternative Materials Panel Discussion - Sparks Gallery
London Art Newsletter 2013

Maximal
San Diego: Identity Crisis or Identity Opportunity? March 2013
Palm Springs Art Fair, Feb, 2013
Corporate Collecting Book Review, Jan 2013

2012 Past A+Art Blog including
Art of Science, Science of Art
Holistic Education
San Diego Steps It Up
Art Spaces for Art Places

Curated Exhibitons/OMA New Director
TED Speak: Introducing SDVAN View Art Now App
Augmented Realty
Big Art Big Bucks
Three Things You Can Do to Help the Art World

United Councils of San Diego?
Thank you to Dennis Paul Batt

New Horizons in SD Art

2011 Past A+Art Blog including

Is La Jolla coming back as a center for the visual arts in San Diego?, Dec 2011
Audience Engagement, Nov 2011
London Part Two, Oct 2011
London Part One, Sept 2011
Drink, Mate, Art, Aug 2011
Too Brave to Fail, July 2011
Out and About In June, 2011
Putting our Tax dollars to Work
The Birthing of Art Meets Fashion
DNA of Creativity
Los Angeles Contemporary Art Fair 2011 in under 2 minutes!


2010 Past A+Art Blog including

Best Tidbits for the Twelve MOnths of 2010
Katherine Sweetman has a home at SDVAN
Filling a Need
Collectors Take Note
Birthing Process
...And Three to Go
Willing to Fail
Life, Luck and Survival
Arting: are we consuming the right art?
Cliffnotes: One Month Condensed into One Week
Allison Renshaw Discovered
Dreams and Visions: MOvers and Shakers 2
State of the Arts 2010 - the Future of Art Publications

2009 Past A+ Art Blogs including
London and the Venice Biennial, 2009
Meet the Press
Beyond the Borders International Art (BTBIAF)
Interpersonal Theory of Art: Little & Large community phenomenon and the museum exhibition, Calder Jewelry at SDMA
Little and Large Launch
Little & Large Introduciton
The Recycling Buzz
Economic Realities for the arts in May 2009
Seven volunteer Inspried Visual Arts Projects
Snapshot – One women’s personal views on Changing Perspectives in the San Diego Art Scene: Notes from the panel discussion
The Economy and Affordable Live/Work Spaces
State of the Arts 2009

2008 Past A+ Art Blogs including
State of the Arts 2008
Hungry for Chinese Art?
Eat Your Art Out plus John Baldessari conversation with Hugh Davies
London Burning: A Damien Hirst Update
SD Flash Forward; Movers and Shakers Speak Out
Museum Trends: NY Times Cliff Notes
London Newsletter 2008
Art Collecting Clubs Part II
Artcentric Interiors
Poopielickles for All: attending Art Fairs in LA
Reading the Zines for Good Ideas, Feb 2008

Changing Power Base: State of the Arts 2008

2007 Past A+ Art Blogs including
Burnished by Fire: Stories of Firestorm, November 2007
The What and the How and the Wow, October, 2007
Careerist Artist, September, 2007
Non-Profit is not a Free Ride, July 2007
Crowd Control at Museums, June, 2007
May and It'sDarling Buds - May, 2007
Cruelty Free Art Zone - April, 2007
Critical Issues Facing the Arts, March, 2007 – The James Irvine Foundation, September 2006 summary
Letter from London Dec 2006 - Feb 2007
State of the Arts Jan 2007

2006 Past A+ Art Blogs
Crossover: How Artists Build Careers
Art and Wine Tour of Northern CA- October, 2006

Web Heaven- August, 2006 Advice on Websites for Artists
Vacation Art-July, 2006

Art Critic Revealed: Robert Pincus - June, 2006
Artistic Freedoms- May 2006
Art and Science, Progress and Mystery - April, 2006
Building Market Share - March, 2006
Glass to Go - February, 2006
Collectors on Show - January, 2006

PATRICIA FRISCHER, author of "The Artist and the Art of Marketing" has lectured extensively on marketing for artists. She is a trainer of artists’ agents, art dealers, consultant and collectors. Frischer has taken on the roles of gallerist, curator, writer, teacher, website coordinator and artist. Her many metamorphoses make her difficult to fit into any of the usual art world categories. She is a founding member and coordinator of the San Diego Visual Arts Network, (www.SDVAN.net ) which funds the SD Art Prize, directory and events calendar and SmART Collector features. Her own artwork  (www.DrawsCrowd.com ) has been shown internationally and her most recent one person show was at Oxford University.

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