HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-25-20 Public Comment - J. DeWeese - Percent for Arts Initiative.From:Josh DeWeese
To:Agenda
Subject:Percent for Arts Initiative.
Date:Sunday, October 25, 2020 8:17:27 PM
I am writing in support of the Percentage for the Arts Program going before the City
Commission this week. I am a long time Bozeman native, born and raised right here in theGallatin Valley in a family that embraced contemporary art in our community. I am a
practicing artist and a professor teaching ceramics at Montana State University. Currently Iserve as the Interim Director of the MSU School of Art.
The City of Bozeman would show great wisdom and vision in adopting a percent for arts
program for the community. Public art builds and reinforces our cultural well being andcan act as a catalyst for economic and social growth. Advanced societies throughout history
have celebrated the arts in their community as a reflection of their identity. Many of the greatcities of the world are defined by their public art and Bozeman should aspire to be among
them.
Arts and culture are referenced in a number of Bozeman area planning documents, andidentified as a top priority for a healthy prosperous community. Adopting the Percent for Arts
ordinance would signal strong leadership by the city by taking the critical steps to ensure theplanning outcomes could be realized. It would be a visionary and bold statement, something
we could all be proud of.
Josh DeWeese