Imagine going to the doctor and being given a prescription for art.

For anyone who has ever experienced or been involved in the creation of art, it would come as no surprise because of the calming, therapeutic and transformative effect the arts can provide. The blending of arts and culture activities with the healthcare field produces powerful accounts of the way the arts can impact individuals beyond what standard medical practice can give.

Every time a batter steps up to the plate and the pitcher throws the baseball, right up to the very last out of the final inning, there’s a chance the game’s outcome will change. And every time someone in the General Assembly introduces a bill, there’s a chance it will change, too.  That can be good or disappointing, depending on perspectives and circumstances. The most important thing is remembering that nothing is final until the last vote.  

Is the arts and culture sector a key partner or a leading partner in our community? Certainly there are many possible views on this question. Here’s one. A key partner is one that is valued for their contributions and whose counsel is sought by others on a variety of matters. A leading partner is different. Certainly a leading partner’s counsel and contributions are valued and sought by others, but a leading partner is not only concerned with how others see them, but how they see themselves. A key partner accepts they can contribute to a certain cause and will answer the call when requested. A leading partner accepts responsibility for the cause and enlists others in advancing it, helping to shape the cause along the way. 

What do all great leaders have? I’ve been fortunate to participate in a Leadership Boot Camp through the YWCA, and this question was posed at the start of our last session. We called out answers: “Integrity” “Confidence” ”Influence.” In my head I was dredging up all the great leaders in my life. They have all changed me in some way. They’ve surprised me, captivated my attention and made me understand something I hadn’t before. They’ve taught me how to make better decisions on my own terms. They’ve even tripped me up from time to time (literally and figuratively—I have three sisters). Now you may be quicker than I am, but when our presenter answered her own question, I was almost embarrassed at how simple it was to overlook. All leaders, great or otherwise, have followers.

At the recent Arts and Culture Roundtable, Hunter Morrison, Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC) spoke passionately about the critical nature of arts as an essential component in a sustainable community. Morrison described five key roles that arts and culture play in developing a vibrant, resilient and sustainable place.

Where are we? Where do we need to be? Why is it important? How will we get there?  The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC’s) board, staff and advisors used these questions to frame and develop our fourth strategic plan.  We examined past accomplishments such as, positioning the arts and culture sector in its public policy efforts to realize public support. We asked members of the arts and culture community and leaders in other sectors to reflect and comment on the value of CPAC’s work in public policy, research and capacity building. Equally important, we received thoughtful advice and new perspectives on service needs or gaps within the arts and culture sector. Here is a distillation of what we learned that helped us address the questions; where are we? and where do we need to be?

The Fiscal Cliff. We’ve all been trying to avoid it. Perhaps you’ve been listening to audio books in your car on your way to and from work instead of your usual dose of NPR. Or maybe you’ve taken refuge in your portable music library. Perhaps you’ve chucked modern life entirely, choosing to live in a cave with no access to electricity or wireless. Regardless of your solution, you probably weren’t able to avoid discussion of the fiscal cliff entirely. For those of you in the cave, the cliff was right above you and it’s safe to come out now – at least for another two months. The reality is avoidance is a sure fire way to go right over a fiscal cliff, whether it’s the federal government or your own personal or organizational finances. So, as we begin 2013, here are a few tips for those of you who’ve made a resolution to ensure a bright, and cliff-free, financial future.

With the Winter solstice fast approaching and the calendar  winding down it is not uncommon for our  thoughts to be centered on the end of the year; the taking of inventory for all that has transpired -- a cataloguing of activities, a celebration of successes and a renewed strategy to address ongoing challenges. Just as the soil sleeps in the winter until the spring announces a new time for growth, so too artists, and arts and cultural organizations may find themselves “resting” as the New Year approaches. 

It’s been three weeks since ‘Super storm Sandy’ hit and communities all along the east coast are regaining power and rebuilding their communities. Here in Cleveland, we saw record breaking winds resulting in fallen trees, damaged houses and downed power lines.  CPAC, we are still catching up after our office closed for almost a week due to power outages. Now, one presidential election later, many of us are back in business as usual. But what is going on with the many artists and arts organizations in our community whose work was impacted by floods, power outages and wind damage?

So who can relate to this? You’re facing an impending grant application deadline and just when you think you have all the information you need – the dreaded data questions come up. These appear in various ways –