Racimo con Brio: Let's Go Get an Arts District

By Victoria Racimo Thursday, January 21, 2010

The city of Williamsburg recently created a focus group to investigate the creation of an arts district in the city, funding a feasibility study by an outside agency to analyze the idea. I say at the outset, I am completely in favor of not only this study but of the successful implementation of any and all recommendations that encourage and support completion of such an arts district.

If Williamsburg puts its shoulder to the wheel and creates an arts district that encompasses all arts disciplines, music, visual, theater, film, dance, and literature, it could find itself enjoying a fresh and potentially lasting identity as a destination rich in artistic opportunities. The Burg draws tourists, visitors to family and friends, and countless relocators. But a recognizable arts district would bring more visitors and create more enrichment for those already living here.

An arts district would add much needed employment not only for the area’s vast and talented artistic and performance constituents, but also help bring renewed economic health and well being to businesses in and near the designated district. It would be a boon to the many jobs associated with supporting such an arts district: all things food and beverage, countless personnel in theater, gallery, and performance space operations and of course, service jobs.

I believe a plan could work as long as long as support is well-guided, not of the “build it and they will come” or “build a building and they will come” mentality. Too oft that has brought near economic disaster for some larger, metropolitan cities in which ground was broken, expensive and expansive arts centers approved and built but which quickly became vanity behemoths for a select few. Some arts centers have over taxed the cities’ coffers and have left its citizens in the lurch, scrambling to cover huge deficits, trying to support half-filled houses.

I must ask ourselves many questions, among them: what real estate is available for such use, who are the viable candidates for partnership, what are the present underexposed geographical areas ripe for commercial traffic, access and parking, what arts groups and companies have shown real and valuable commitment to the city’s artistic future?  What emerging groups should we look for and support? We must explore new boundaries outside the immediate downtown so that the arts district is perceived as an entity unto itself, a safe place (not sterile safe), worth going to, with restaurants, cafes, book stores, and the like, within easy access.

In my daily travels, I often come across potential sites for an arts district – I find myself daydreaming about “homes” for Williamsburg’s many arts groups - buildings and areas for growth in which to incorporate a plan. For example, in this column, in weeks past, I have spoken several times about the land across from the Jamestowne Visitors Center, the tract we used for America’s 400th Anniversary Weekend. Being a regular visitor to Tanglewood, and experiencing its success, I proposed we seriously look at that space and create our own ”Tanglewood” for concerts, dance performance, presentations, and even old-fashioned drive-in movies. Community response was overwhelmingly supportive. I refer to this site as just an example of looking at making use of seemingly unused land – (it may not be zoned or even up for discussion.) But wouldn’t it make a wonderful Summer Festival Williamsburg could call its own.

Currently, we have the Williamsburg Regional Library Theatre and its adjoining lobby spaces for art exhibitions – the Burg’s library system has won several five star awards for excellence several years running and we’re proud and privileged to have it. Its spaces are devoted to performance, lectures and art and are very active and well appreciated by artists and audiences alike.

The Kimball Theatre is a highly important venue but is limited in what outside programming it can do. Its mandate is that it serves CW first and foremost. Local and outside groups and performers certainly have enjoyed extensive performance use of the space. But going forward, Kimball’s primary mission as part of CW might not make it a candidate for more active presence as a participant in a newly created arts district. However, its status as an historical landmark and as a venue rich in variety in presentation and content remains part of the community fabric.

We can help put ourselves on the map by attracting some big names, stars to endorse, participate, host the arts, especially in the launch. As festivals mount and productions enlarge, having celebrities on hand is usually a ticket for success. Nothing succeeds like success. And as the arts district grows in stature and acclaim, the goal would be to have celebs and their press agents jockeying for inclusion. It is most beneficial to reach out and attach marquee value to the arts district in the early stages to heighten awareness, draw attention. But such notoriety must be maintained, not be just a flash in the pan, one-time, one-off affair. Promises, once fulfilled, become expectations to be continually fulfilled.

We should seriously mount an international film festival, welcoming digital, as well as film entries. Again, assemble a “star” panel of experts. Set the festival in a time frame that doesn’t conflict with other Burg festivities, schedule it in the “off season.” After the crowds go away in September in the Hamptons, the Hampton Film Festival takes place in October, bringing out a whole new slew of folks as well as locals to attend. No trouble getting celebs there. Alec Baldwin is a regular.

Again, create “star” name advisory committees – sure, everyone wants to rub elbows with Yo-Yo Ma or Wynton Marsalis and have their names on the letterhead. But if they’re not available for us yet, (thinking positive here for the future), go after the next tier. Invite experts who bring cache. Be very wise to include as many culturists as possible. We are a multi-ethnic community hungry for varied attractions and entertainment – we want/need our souls and sprits fed with global enrichment, ideas.

As the WYDAILY reviewer, blogger, critic for a year and a half, I have attended countless local concerts, plays, performances and exhibitions. One of the things I heard most is “we want more,” “we want variety.” I have been astounded and amazed by how much artistic talent we have in our midst. I have written about that amazement many times. Now, it’s time to centralize and materialize real and tangible opportunities for this talent to shine, to be able to assemble and present their art to us. Give it a name. Other destinations have names - “The great white way,” “Museum mile,” “Restaurant Row.”

Recall the PBS expression, “A great nation deserves great art.” The Burg is a wonderful community for many reasons but the mining of our artistic wealth will help determine how truly great we become. Its growth requires due diligence on how well our art world is presented and how it’s perceived.
We must realize the importance of the arts, not just as opportunity for employment in many different sectors, (which it is), but as the hand-in-glove partner in our vibrant, growing city. A community must have an identifiable arts destination to be considered complete. If a serious, doable plan is put forth, we must aggressively seek its fulfillment.

I hope the feasibility study finds and recommends better, more conducive ways and means to make the arts district happen. I hope the feasibility study finds and recommends better, more conducive ways and means to make the arts district happen.