Having served as a volunteer on a smaller but similar body many years ago in a nearby city, I'm well aware that individuals putting in their time on organizations like the Tacoma Art Commission do not always enjoy the kind of widespread thanks and good publicity that is their due.
Having attended this year's simply superlative Art Symposium at University of Puget Sound the weekend of November 15 -16 as part of the annual ART AT WORK month celebration, I believe it would be simply another injustice to let the 2008 year conclude without calling for a round of applause to all members of the board listed at www.tacomaculture.org.
They include: Phillip Hill, chairman; Margaret Payne, vice chair; Jan F. Brazzell, Richard Cardwell, Robin Echtle, Sarah Idstrom, Jan Karroll, Traci Kelly, Don Lacky, Bill La Vergne, Janet Matzke, Kristi Nebel, Jacqueline Peterson, Michael Reynolds, Julie Anderson (City Council Liason) and Jake Fey (City Council Liason Alternate).
Similar kudos should also extended to the commission's able and talented administrator Amy McBride and cultural arts specialist Naomi Strom-Avila.
In a perfect world, all cities and towns would have the pleasure of watching what and how groups such as the commission and for that matter a number of others arts organizations in the area model the kind of thinking and engage opportunities for both citizenry and the arts which can easily provide the kind of textbook study future generations will pour over for years to come.
Therefore for the irreplaceable inspiration they have offered through such programs as Art at Work Month and the aforementioned Art Symposium - 2008 members and staff ought to be encouraged to please, please take another bow!
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6 comments:
Bravo Bravo Bravo!!
Hear, hear! The arts are liable to struggle even more than the rest of us for the forseeable future and we need the beauty of them more than ever. Hug an artist.
For the 15 years I have resided in this City of Destiny, I have marveled at the dedication to the public art offerings of a city that is often given short shrift by the rest of the state. And to be the red-headed stepchild of the city budget, well, I can't imagine how Amy keeps from daily pulling out her hair.
Having heard of her eminence often, but never having met her, I will shake her hand and thank her warmly... THEN her ask for a grant application.
Mizu:
What a terrific tribute to a fine organization. Art is has always been such a significant part of our community. This is a good reminder of that and for all citizens to show their appreciation.
Kim
More money sucking noisy made for artsie statues erected to show how much we love expression in Tacoma while our schools are libraries are crumbling. Oh the irony. Don't you feel good looking at that lovely statue now.
Dear Artist, please pay your share of taxes come 2009. Need we justify the luxury you currently have in claiming an over inflated price for your art for the IRS.
Under current practice, valuation is the responsibility of the donor, who must attach a summary of a qualified appraisal to a tax return for any item worth more than $5,000. The I.R.S. gets involved -- asking its panel of 25 volunteer experts to review the claim -- only in case of an audit and only if the art is worth $20,000 or more.
The 1995 Tax Act allows you to donate to any IRS-approved charity works of art at their fair market value, not at their cost basis. Moreover, you can deduct the charitable gift’s fair market value on your return without being subject to the dreaded alternative minimum tax.
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