Research

The results from our focus groups in November gave us a clear idea of what kind of arts agency is needed in Marin County. We thought it would be prudent to spend some time researching other arts agencies in California and across the country to see if we could find similar models. We wanted to find out what worked best (and worst) for these other organizations. Hopefully we will be able to build on their successes and avoid their pitfalls.

We took a close look at 12 different arts organizations. They ranged from government agencies to nonprofits. Many were started by grassroots efforts, while others are offshoots of government agencies, or special projects of foundations. Their missions are all variations on a theme: to support and promote the arts in their local community. Their programs and services ran the gamut from online calendars and directories, to grant making, education programs, public art programs, arts festivals and tours and more. Their annual budgets ranged from $100K to over $1 million. Not surprisingly, their income sources were typically some combination of earned income, contributions and grants from foundations.

After reviewing the broad spectrum of what a local arts agency can be, we began to think about what would be best in Marin. Where should we start, and what should we grow towards?

The obvious starting point is to launch an online arts calendar & directory for all arts and culture in Marin. An "arts portal" was a cornerstone of many of the organizations that we researched and embodied the values of inclusiveness, support and promotion that we have already adopted.

Our next steps will be to do more research to find the best calendar & directory solution for marinarts.org. Stay posted!

a few of the organizations we researched

November activities - focus groups

November was a busy month for the Marin Arts Organizing Committee. We held four 1-hour long focus groups to determine what Marin’s art community valued and desired most in a future local arts agency in Marin.

photograph by Mary Serphos

The four groups (Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts and Arts Education) each had lively discussions about their wish list for a new organization, tempered by what was realistically feasible and could be funded in a sustainable way. There was striking overlap between all the groups. To encapsulate what we’ve learned from these discussions, here are the overarching themes that emerged.

A new local arts agency in Marin should:

1. Be an advocate for the arts.
   --The arts should be a part of every general plan in every city in Marin.
   --There should also be a county wide hotel tax or other tax that supports the arts in Marin.
2. Collect data and share information about
   --Economic impact of the arts
   --The intrinsic value of the arts
3. Foster collaboration, partnerships, communication and networking between all the existing arts organizations, groups and programs in Marin
   --Have a web portal (with calendar feature) for all the arts and artists in Marin. Be “the place to go” for any & all arts information in Marin.

Ideas for sustainable sources of funding for a new local arts agency include:

1. Membership dues from individuals and organizations
   
2. Government funding (possibility of getting county tax revenue for the arts).
   
3. Grants & Foundations

If you'd like an opportunity to enter this discussion, please leave a comment on this post. We want to hear what everyone has to say!

1. What would you like to see in a new countywide arts organization in Marin?
2. What are some creative, innovative ideas to sustainably fund a new arts organization to provide these services?

What is a local arts agency?

The primary goal of the Marin Arts Organizing Committee is to launch a new local arts agency in Marin. As a very first step, it makes sense to ask "What, exactly, is a local arts agency?"

At it's most fundamental level, it is an organization that would act as a "hub" for all the arts in Marin. Whether you are a professional artist, an art student, an arts organization, or a patron of the arts you should be able to turn to your local arts agency for information, referrals, advice and support.

It has been interesting to research and explore the diversity of local arts agencies across the State and country. Each organization responds to the unique needs of its community. More information (and some good food for thought) on the role of local arts agencies can be found here:

• History and types of local arts agencies
• What do local arts agencies do?
• The future of local arts agencies and the subsidy model of arts support
• Local arts agencies: best practices for a new decade

"Life is Tricky" by Vickisa

What this kind of an organization in Marin could and should look like is yet to be determined.

One thing we do know is that Marin already has vibrant arts community. There are hundreds of successful arts programs, and thousands of creative individual artists. We would like to help these artists and organizations work together, extend their reach, and be even more successful at what they already do.

But what, specifically, is the best way to achieve this goal? We want to hear what you would like to see in a new local arts agency in Marin. Please comment on this post - we listen!

Surviving (and thriving) programs

Oops! We forgot to mention that several programs survived the dissolution of the Marin Arts Council. We're thrilled that these programs have found new homes and are thriving just as strong (or stronger) than ever!

Marin Open Studios was the flagship program of the Marin Arts Council for many years. It has continued on, stronger than ever, as an independent organization that continues to connect artists to the art loving public with the annual Marin Open Studios event every May.
For more information, please visit http://marinopenstudios.com

TeamWorks Art Mentoring & Apprenticeship Program expands access by at-risk youth to arts education so they can share the same benefits of a comprehensive education as their higher-income level peers. New fiscal sponsorship through the William James Association and a new super-lean infrastructure enable TeamWorks to continue offering arts intervention with existing partnerships to underserved youth with a high standard of professionalism. For more information, please visit http://williamjamesassociation.org/fiscal_sponsorship/teamworks/

The Marin Poet Laureate Program has found a new home within the Marin County Free Library. The Marin Poet Laureate Program is dedicated to building community through poetry by appointing and supporting a Poet Laureate for the county. An ambassador for poetry, the Laureate promotes citizens’ awareness of poetry as well as heightens their appreciation of the art form. The Laureate strives to forge a meaningful connection between poetry and the populace, undertakes projects that will make poetry more available and more accessible to people in their everyday lives, and demonstrates a dedication to the art of writing poetry. The Marin Poet Laureate Program will be launching its new website in the coming weeks - stay posted!

Goodbye Marin Arts Council

If you're here at marinarts.org, chances are that you're looking for the Marin Arts Council for one reason or another. Sadly, the Marin Arts Council officially dissolved in 2012 after more than 30 years as Marin's local arts agency.

Marinarts.org is (for now) the home of the Marin Arts Organizing Committee, and will eventually become the home of a new, all-inclusive organization that will connect and support the arts community in Marin.

We're taking a fresh look at how Marin's arts community can best be served. That's where you come in. Let us know what led you here to marinarts.org. Are you looking for information? referrals? grants? artists? What would you like to see here? Your comments will help build a space that will be informative and relevant to yourself, others and the arts in Marin.

Don't forget to check back often. We'll keep you posted on our progress and direction.