City Budget

Nutter to announce Arts and Culture Office head

Today Mayor Michael Nutter is expected to make a long-awaited announcement - the re-opening of the city's Office of Arts and Culture. Former Mayor John Street closed the office, and during his campaign -- Mayor Nutter promised to re-open it. The art community looks forward to the announcement with great anticipation.

By Elizabeth Fiedler

WHYY News, July 18, 2008

Many artists, museum curators and directors across the city are anxiously waiting to see what direction the new czar will move the city's arts and culture scene.

Art critic and blogger roberta fallon says the former office was known for putting art in the glass cases in city hall.

Fallon says she's waiting to see if the new office delivers more to the area's growing art community.

"There's nothing wrong with reaching out to the art museum and the non-profits, but you also need to be reaching out to the new arrivals which is really what's making the art scene exciting at this point, and who are not going to stay for very long unuless they see some leadership from the top that's doing innovative things."

Fallon says her short list for the new art czar includes establishing affordable housing and studio space for artists -- and improving the tax climate for art galleries.

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