SparkCon

Given a blank slate and a simple question, four diverse groups of artists, independent busi-nesspeople, and technology professionals set about imagining the Triangle as a thriving creative scene. What follows are the wish lists, recommendations, and wildest dream ideas that emerged from the AllSpark, ArtSpark, IndySpark, and TechSpark workshops in September of 2006.

How to make a thriving Arts scene:

Sensory Playground
Workshop participants described the feeling associated with a thriving arts scene as a “vibosphere.” Such an environ-ment, they said, is fi lled with galleries, festivals, free public performances, poetry slams, wild hair, wacky people, thinkers, and skateboarders as well as lots of lights, fi lm, and public creative spaces which encourages risk taking.

Make Art a Verb in the Triangle
Art happens in all kinds of places and at all kinds of times which means that in order for an art scene to become vital it needs accessible venues and promo-tion. Salons, galleries, museums, and street art are all seen as viable mediums for injecting different levels of art into the community. One way to gain support for a wide variety of venues and encourage new opportuni-ties is to establish and post a comprehensive list of weekly art events in a highly visible way—on a digital board on Fayetteville Street, for instance.

Give Art an Affordable Voice
Support of the arts is crucial to the fabric of com-munity. Seed money can go a long way in supporting some astounding creative expression. Free spaces that are otherwise unused can become central points of artistic expression. Artists in turn have the respon-sibility to let these places be as accessible as possible to everyone—from meeting ADA requirements to fully integrating with the community so that art can become part of a relevant social dialogue.

Cross-Pollinate Ideas
Artists were well-represented at Spark Con and most attending artists expressed a desire to work with non-artists. These artists were intrigued with the possibili-ties of incorporating thrilling new technologies into their artwork and they crave dialogue to help them learn how. There was much discussion about synthesis and how combining art with other aspects of the community creates a cross-fertilization that bridges diversity and inspires everyone. Anyone up for pairing up artists and techies in a speed-dating format?

Educate the Creative Arts Community
Public discussion about art achieves two purposes. It adds value so that art is not taken for granted. And, it pushes artists to go further with their work. Accord-ing to the workshop participants, art is increasingly seen as having a healing component that inspires people in other aspects of their lives. There was a prevailing sense among participants that newspaper art critics could upgrade the public discourse about artistic expression by adding educational compo-nents to their reviews.

Push the Internal Edges of Art
Art comes in many forms, and a community that loves art sees it not just in paintings and music but in all their senses—from food to the natural environ-ment. A thriving art scene allows us to experience expression with all fi ve of our senses, removing barriers so we can have surprises in life and creating active conversations and discussion across people of diverse backgrounds.

We Art Here
Collectives like Antfarm, Team Lump, and Artspace were called out as examples of places that give the arts a home. Not only do groups like this bring down costs for members but they also foster collaboration and competition among artists that allow them to take their visions further and further. In addition, these group formats help give their members stronger voices and become visible symbols of the arts.