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Support
ACBC & help make the arts community stronger!
Laura Cody
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Survey responses ~ How are new artists perceived in Beaufort County?
ACBC's January-March 2008 Survey
another component of the Get Your Art Out emerging artist initiative.
63 people responded to 10 questions. For the first question, they indicated that 57.4% live North of the Broad River, 23% lived South of the Broad River, and 19.7% are from out of town.
Introduction
The multitude of responses to this survey illustrate the healthy contrasts in Beaufort County's creative economy. Many of the responses are complete opposite reactions to the same question. Since we're talking about the Arts-- which means we're talking about freedom and human expression-- that is a very good thing.
While the survey was open, free Get Your Art Out workshops were being filled by visual artists and writers.
Q2. How do you participate in the arts in Beaufort County?
I'm an artist - 61.9%, 39
I'm an art student - 4.8%, 3
I attend lectures and workshops - 44.4%, 28
I'm an art collector - 41.3%, 26
I just like to look when attending an opening or two - 23.8%, 15
I occasionally buy tickets to a local arts performance - 49.2%, 31
I often, even monthly, but tickets to a local arts performances - 9.5%, 6
I read ArtNews, ACBC's print publication - 58.7%, 37
I encourage my friends and family who are artistic - 61.9%, 39
I volunteer in school and youth projects - 11.1%, 7
I volunteer with an arts-related organization or event - 33.3%, 21
I prefer to garden/play soccer/perfect my cake-baking, etc. - 3.2%, 2
Comments to Q2 - 31.7%, 20:
- I make hand-crafted jewelry;
- Used to sell art in Beaufort...still come down from Chas. several times a year to the galleries;
- member BAA;
- I work alone at home as a fiber artist;
- I have retail space for art in Fordham Market;
- Volunteer at Library and Second Helpings;
- I like photography and am interested in marketing some of my work;
- I volunteer with Beaufort Irish Festival, and we hope next year (Feb 09) to include art in the Festival--maybe an art exhibit, or some competition which might be in some way related to the Irish theme;
- I am working on my glass art to become an artist;
- I make jewelry;
- Member, Dataw Historical Foundation;
- I want to be more involved;
ARTS AND GARDENING IS MY THING;
- I look forward to the events/programs at the waterfront;
- artist-professional musician;
- where is the broad river? where is north and south, by the way;
- A&E publisher;
- I work in arts in education through the school district;
- I am a music teacher;
- I try to participate in art events but find communications re these events pretty obscure/invisible!
Q3. What elements does a town need to be a healthy arts community?
beautiful water views - 14.3%, 9
plenty of local theater groups and interesting performance halls - 61.9%, 39
an arts "crowd" - 52.4%, 33
coffee shops with couches - 23.8%, 15
more galleries with paintings and sculpture - 41.3%, 26
more galleries that shock - 28.6%, 18
more readings & signings with authors - 47.6%, 30
sidewalk musicians & performers - 50.8%, 32
more events and live music in the parks - 74.6%, 47
lots of black clothing and berets - 0.0%, 0
more public art - 63.5%, 40
more interactive public art - 50.8%, 32
more workshops, retreats, and lectures - 65.1%, 41
a grass-roots outreach to identify and nurture new artists - 77.8%, 49
festivals with competitions in & exhibits of neat-o artforms. - 61.9%, 39
Comments to Q3 - 61.9%, 39:
- More jewelry vending opportunities;
- sidewalk art fair;
- people interested in supporting the arts; a good director;
- Plays and Local Theater Company Needed;
- neat-o??;
- more opportunity for those just beginning;
- I think we already have lots of events and live music in the parks--need more public support for the arts--tax dollars dedicated to encouraging, paying for and promoting public art-- on buildings, in buildings, on sidewalks, in parks. I don't think it necessarily has to be competitive--though that's one way to spur interest. But artists have to KNOW that what they submit, design, or propose will receive SERIOUS consideration and at least a REASONABLE chance of financial support from government officials (as for example, City Council and County Council.);
- Having the Bft. Performing Arts, Sea Island Conference Center & their Dinner Theatre, Sea Island Presb. Church Music Series, Lowcountry Chorale & Orchestra with Youth Orchestra.;
- reasonably priced gallery;
- Beaufort does most of the above;
- actually the black clothing and berets aren't a bad idea!!!;
- promotion and support of all arts not just galleries or visual arts;
- LOTS OF MONEY AND SPIRIT TO POUR INTO;
- Vision and GOOD art;
- open mike, with a mix of poetry, music...Something like open mike in the park... Or by the water... Open mike to bring us together....;
- businesses and people who volunteer and support the arts;
- Patrons whose taste goes beyond pretty landscapes;
- a gallery/studio facility similar to the Torpedo factory, more Arts oriented, less commercial like Fordham's.
Q4. How would you design an emerging artist initiative with a grant for from the Coastal Community Foundation's expansion art program?
think of a catchy phrase (like Get Your Art Out) - 26.2%, 16
set the goal of combining overlooked/underserved/never-suspected artists with creating growth in the local arts economy - 73.8%, 45
take a few months for discussion and planning - 27.9%, 17
form partnerships with Lowcountry organizations like the Beaufort County School District and the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina - 62.3%, 38
tell everyone you know by phone, email, the media, and in person that you're looking for new artists - 57.4%, 35
start by offering two community events for emerging artists to share their work with gallery owners, collectors, and the public. - 70.5%, 43
establish workshop series for Teaching Artists, visual artists, and writers - 60.7%, 37
get a bullhorn and drive around like the Blues Brothers promoting their concert in Chicago. - 8.2%, 5
write a letter to the editor - 26.2%, 16
Comments to Q4 - 26.2%, 16:
- find ways for working people to do their art too as opposed to just kids and retired people. In other words, change the economic climate. Ha! good luck;
- Have a casual, 'open-to-questions' event for current artists and new;
- with years of experience in London and New York and Kansas City, I would try to expand beyond a regional mentality, expand what people think of as art;
- Initiatives like "Get Your Art Out" need to be more advertised; juried art shows;
- Do what you are doing;
- provide spaces for locals to set up for and have an "art-a-thon" on some week-ends at the waterfront park inviting local artists to practice their "art" in front of local residents (potters, painters, weavers, knitters...whatever their medium is for expression; include music talent; meetings at the new art center; Make an effort to include artists from all disciplines in discussions;
- I particularly believe in the grass roots effort. Beaufort would react to a bullhorn like it reacted to the mermaids....;
- Integrate the two community events to share all aspects of art, spoken word, painting, music, performance.... If you can name it art bring them together in one setting.....;
- work with schools to identify emerging talent;
- use internship program to place emerging artists with arts professionals (opportunities to develop their talents in the marketplace);
- involve emerging artists in the discussion and planning process;
- last four items belong in the planning process;
- give show and tell talks to civic groups such as Rotary, Lions, Chambers, etc.;
- I'm waiting for the bullhorn...looks like you have the rest covered!;
- create an arts column to critique the local art scene. NOT written by the gallery publicity person OR the artist him/herself.
Q5. Have you heard about Get Your Art Out before this survey?
Yes - 62.9%, 39
No - 37.1%, 23
skipped question - 1
Q6. Have you, or will you, tell anyone else about Get Your Art Out?
Yes - 87.1%, 54
No - 12.9%, 8
skipped question - 1
Q7. Where do you find new artists, whether to appreciate their work or collect it?
galleries in downtown Beaufort - 74.6%, 44
galleries in old town Bluffton -30.5%, 18
galleries in Port Royal - 25.4%, 15
galleries in Frogmore and St. Helena - 49.2%, 29
galleries in Hilton Head - 28.8%, 17
organizations like the Historic Beaufort Foundation and Penn Center- 32.2%, 19
organizations like the Arts Council of Beaufort County, the schools, charity auctions -61.0%, 36
roadside stands, out of the way artists' studio-houses - 32.2%, 19
festivals, events, gallery walks - 79.7%, 47
articles in local publications - 76.3%, 45
word of mouth, viewing collections in people's homes - 61.0%, 36
Comments to Q7- 61%, 36:
- Host a mixer for them with other artists. Advertise it widely.;
- Artist know artist, writers know artists;
- The Beaufort Art Association is the strongest support for beginning artist in this area and the Arts Council usually ignores them as in this survey.;
- Attend Paint the Town Purple;
- first learned of Karen Harvey (local photography artist) from her display at Beaufort Performing Arts Inc.;
- organizations like SOBA and HHAL;
- Beaufort Art Association;
- Beaufort needs a big Arts and Crafts Festival in Waterfront Park;
- This whole survey seems to focus only on visual arts;
- in my phone book, in my closet, in my backyard, they never stop coming;
- galleries when I travel;
- I find more diverse work in the Savannah area, to be honest. A bit younger, fewer paintings of seascapes and flowers, etc.;
- the nightlife;
- Everywhere;
- Internet, Walterboro, NYC and other parts of the country;
- I'd like to check Arts Council but feel it has too low and profile and is not visibly organized. I was never aware of any coordination with other County art organizations.;
- Everywhere!
Q8. Why does Beaufort County need more artists?
Artists contribute to and support the Lowcountry lifestyle. - 75.8%, 47
The arts economy creates opportunities for many people. - 61.3%, 38
The arts are intertwined with important factors like tourism, education, and quality of life. - 88.7%, 55
The arts capture our zeitgeist better than any digital recorder. - 29.0%, 18
Because Beaufort County should have a good arts reputation. - 33.9%, 21
Because the arts beautify our communal, commercial, and residential spaces. - 64.5%, 40
So that there will be fewer uptight people. - 29.0%, 18
Because the things artists create are more interesting than re-runs of Scrubs. - 41.9% 26
The arts improve conversations at parties. - 40.3%, 25
The arts help children learn and adults to communicate. - 77.4%, 48
The right one could produce the next Christina's World or The Thinker- 30.6%, 19
To take the pressure off of everybody else to create a cultural legacy. - 14.5%, 9
Comments to Q8- 21.0%, 13
- world peace;
- art speaks to viewers;
- Beaufort County needs less people;
- They help us see the world more clearly;
- The arts contribute to quality of life.;
- Art/Artist are an important part of any community.;
- I think Beaufort County needs more collectors, better critics and curators more than anything.;
- to mirror our local culture;
- it doesn't;
- I like the uptight people...;
- foster cultural/intellectual diversity;
- promote higher order thinking and peace in the world;
- The arts allow all of us to commuicate with each other without having to speak!
Q9. If you were planning a show of artwork and/or a performance, what would the theme and title be? Answered question - 44
- Not sure yet.;
- Street Preachers Beware - The Ms. Sigha Arises - Hissssssssss;
- Wild Woman Art;
- COLOR CLOSE - UPS CLOSE LOOKS AT LOW COUNTRY BOTANICALS.;
Theme: Art enhances life. Show works of art in various places for a weekend: in school hallways, in restaurants, along the waterfront, etc. TITLE = Wherever you are, art is.;
- Beaufort County Newbies Art Show $50 or less, perhaps an auction, completely new artist showing(no previous show or gallery);
- Hidden messages; wearable art;
- Mosaics and title Mosaic The World;
- Transcendence, an illumination through ideas made visual;
- THEME: Little Things Mean Alot TITLE: Mindstickers; I would have the gallery who was showing my work look at what was being exhibited, and we would work out a theme and title together;
- Art Extravaganza; Beaufort On Fire;
- I'll think about it and get back to you;
- Photography of the LowCountry;
- I don't know--I'm not that creative--but appreciate it in other people who are;
- GO BE GENIUS;
- Artists are All Ages from 3 to 93;
- I have been thinking about that one but do not have an idea yet.;
- Beaufort-Remembering the Past-Connecting to the Future;
- What the tide brought in;
- Lowcountry "SEEfood" for the Soul;
- Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder;
- Beaufort Arts and Craft Festival (list in Crafts Report);
- I'd want to show more mermaids, king neptune, undersea life, lost civilization title - Lost World of Atlantis;
- Natural history locally; title "What's Grosser Than Gross?" the theme of the show would revolve around the idea that not all art is about creating a "pretty" picture. This show would confront the viewer and force them to question what is is that they are "seeing". There is also an interactive component that deals with the tactile reaction combined with the visual reaction. This show should be quite the controversy in this small southern town.;
- Art is Life. The theme would be to focus on local amateur artists of all mediums to include painting, digital, sculpture, writing, theatre and music;
elan du jours;
- The lost art of music North of the Broad;
- I would start with a feminist or at least a feminine art show. The title would depend on the content, I have no clue. But I would certainly privilege conceptual pieces over craft.;
- Scaring Retirees! (featuring work that might not fit in among plantation-protected homes, but that might just open some eyes to what's going on in the world);
- Lowcountry Theater and Gallery;
- Grab Your Brush;
- dont know have to think about;
- Angels and others unseen;
- Everybody for the arts and the arts for us…;
- Some of my best friends are artists (performance/exhibition curated by a notable);
- If I can do it, you can too (performance);
- Is this art? (exhibition) Windows on the World (exhibition);
- Sorry, I'm brain dead this morning...but the theme would probably NOT be anything to do with life at the beach, on the river, or among the tabby ruins, although that's what our visitors seem to want…;
- This is what I mean about "obscure." A show for whom????;
Q10. Do you visit the Arts Council of Beaufort County's informative website, beaufortcountyarts.com?
Often - 23.0%, 14
Regularly - 31.1%, 19
Seldom - 39.3%, 24
Never - 6.6%, 4
skipped question - 2
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