CARSON CITY ARTS TOWN MEETING NOTES
October 25, 2016, 5:30pm-7pm
Brewery Arts Center
449 W. King St., Carson City, NV 89703
Local Sponsors: Carson City Visitors Bureau
Attendance: 49
Organizational Affiliations: Brewery Arts Center, Capital City Arts Initiative, Carson City Arts and Culture
Coalition, Carson City Library, Carson City School District (Carson City High School and Pioneer High School),
Carson City Symphony, Carson City Ward 1 Supervisor, Comma Coffee, Evergreen Studio, Gardeners Reclaiming
Our Waysides (GROW), Mayor of Carson City, Mile High Jazz Band, Nevada Appeal, Nevada Artists Association,
Nevada State Museum, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Outdoor Adventures, Timeless Sculptures
CRITICAL ISSUES
1. Communication, coordination and collaboration, including:
a. Better coordination among arts organizations, artists, municipal entities, etc.
b. Improved coordination between existing events and organizations
c. Marketing to promote city as a destination for the arts
2. Cultural diversity reflected in arts opportunities, audiences, and leadership, including:
a. Integrated Native American culture
b. Programming in underserved communities
3. Vibrant arts community, including:
a. Opportunities for engagement in the arts through programming and public art
b. Affordable live and work space for artists
c. Utilizing, capitol grounds and other outdoor spaces for public art & programming
d. Signature festival or event
Plenary Discussion: Vibrant Communities
Facilitated discussion exploring what a community rich in art might looking like, including identifying the
community’s current assets and missing elements.
What are Carson City’s assets?
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Arts, cultural and educational organizations: Brewery Arts Center , Nevada Arts Council, Stewart Indian
School, Strings in schools, Carson City Symphony, C.C.A.I., Galleries (Carson City Arts Gallery, Artsy
Fartsy, NAA, etc.), Jazz and Beyond Festival, performing arts facilities, museums, Library, Western
Nevada College (community college)
Arts community and events: literary arts community (Lone Mountain Writers, etc.), plays (Western
Nevada College, Brewery Arts Center, etc.), burners, festivals, breadth of artists
Nevada Arts Council
716 N. Carson Street, Suite A
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-6680 / www.nac.nevadaculture.org / [email protected]
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Business and government: business and organization collaborations, people/city/government investing
in quality of life, engaged DBA, Comma Coffee, Manufacturing industry, Carson Tahoe Health, Capital
City/State government
Engaged community: “Can do” attitude (people take responsibility), “Lack of apathy” among residents,
wealth of talent, public and private collaborations, community of volunteers, local funding
Environment and urban design: trees, parks, scenery, unique architecture, geographic location,
mountain access, wild animals (horses, deer, etc.), civic center, downtown, new/renovated event area,
size of city, downtown sculptures
History and culture: unique history, culinary arts, organic food options, Hispanic and Native American
population
What is your vision for a culturally rich community?
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Arts funding
Billboards on highway to Tahoe
Capital grounds (art walk, events, etc.)
Coloring book coupons (shopping, art connections, etc.)
Communal commercial kitchen
Cultural diversity reflected in activities, audiences, leadership, etc.)
Destination community (Ex: Taos, New Mexico)
Expand “Art in the Park” and reach more underserved communities
Expand “Mile High” Festival
Integrating Native American culture
Intermediate size performing arts space (300-400 seats)
Large outdoor sculpture event
Large scale event coordination
Low cost or free artist spaces with living, working, and teaching options
Marketing, draw tourists in
Showcase unique history (Ex: Asian history)
Sidewalk chalk competition (kid friendly)
Signature event or festival
Vibrant art community
Visual art in empty storefronts
Breakout Groups: Extraordinary World
Breakout discussions called for small groups to identify one goal from the vision of a community rich in art to
discuss in more depth. This included identifying current challenges, allies and assets, and finally actions steps
that might be taken towards reaching this goal.
Group 1: Goal - Activating Vacant Storefronts with Art
With so many existing collaborations, immediate action can be taken to bring the arts into some of Carson City’s
vacant storefronts. The first steps are determining how to start this type of program, identifying/obtaining the
required liability insurance, motivating people to participate, and finding volunteers. Younger audiences and
Nevada Arts Council
716 N. Carson Street, Suite A
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-6680 / www.nac.nevadaculture.org / [email protected]
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students could be included in this program through an internship program as part of their larger “senior
project.” Some questions that arose include: would Carson City Visitors Bureau consider serving as a hub for this
program? Is it possible to use their existing insurance policy? Who will contact the building owners?
Group 2: Goal - Community Engagement (communication to link organizations and artists)
Successful community engagement will employ different methods of communication to reach a broad audience
(I.e. flyers, T.V., newspaper, radio media, and social media). Correspondence needs to be multi-layered through
face-to-face, broadcast, online and print means so as best to effectively communicate what everyone is doing
around Carson City. Existing events will serve as a starting point to implement enhanced communication
methods. To improve communication, a series of workshops for organizations and artists could be held.
Additionally, “mixers” will provide more networking opportunities for residents. A monthly meet-up like the Arts
Town Meeting would be a good place to start.
Group 3: Goal - Community Engaged in Arts
To increase community engagement in the arts, we must seek out new community partners (for-profit and
nonprofits) and use social media. In addition, centralized marketing and adequate facilities with strategic
programming (that include rehearsal and performance space) will increase community participation. The biggest
obstacle is sustainable funding as well as adequate staffing. A number of allies can help achieve this vision
including; Arts/Cultural Coordinator, Carson City Visitors Bureau, Brewery Arts Center, Carson City Symphony,
Carson City Artists Initiative, Nevada Artists Association
Group 4: Goal - Robust Coordination and Collaboration with Existing Events and Organizations
To improve coordination and collaboration among existing arts organizations and events, we need to be
proactive and find opportunities to increase involvement in the artistic community. We would also like to bring
creativity out of the galleries and onto the streets, break down existing perceptions of Carson City and find new
arts participants. Some obstacles toward this vision include the unpredictability of Carson City weather, logistics
and organization. Allies and assets who can help improve coordination and communication include businesses in
the Downtown Business Association, Carson City Visitors Bureau, art organizations, high schools and word of
mouth communication.
Group 5: Goal - Festival (month-long)
We would like to establish a festival that would engage all members of the community with support from the
Nevada Artists Association, local businesses, and Carson City Visitors Bureau. We would like to get local
businesses involved and use social media pages to get the word out. The biggest obstacle is getting people to
participate, fundraising, and recruiting volunteers.
Group 6: Goal - App to Showcase Art in Carson City
Carson City needs to engage residents in existing art as well as art that younger generations will appreciate and
participate in. We would like to see more rich and meaningful art experiences and believe an app can help
capture these opportunities. We want this town to be a place where people will return to raise their children.
Nevada Arts Council
716 N. Carson Street, Suite A
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-6680 / www.nac.nevadaculture.org / [email protected]
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