Cuts to L/A Arts highlights the cultural schizophrenia within the region

The recent proposal to cut funding to L/A Arts by the city of Auburn demonstrates an intrinsic malaise within the Lewiston-Auburn area.

The budget was restored at the last moment, and while that is good, the cut should never have been proposed. This lack of vision signals a deeper illness – the illness of economic near-sightedness. I suspected such a narrow attitude when I moved to Auburn, but hoped to find a vibrant area on the verge of a renaissance. Unfortunately, the lack of vision by some municipal leaders has become clearly evident.

Like others in this region, I pay taxes, have a child in the schools, and care about the future direction of the community’s development and the local economy. I hope this is a clarion call to others who have been silent to express their opinions to our elected political representatives, and others in government who serve us.

Isn’t it ironic the governor and representatives from throughout Maine held a major conference on the creative economy in the Bates Mill?

What a waste to have that message fall on deaf ears, in the very community where it was delivered. What does this say about our cities to those outside our limits?

It is terrifically sad to see officials wearing blinders that only allow them to look at numbers, rather than what generates those numbers. Lack of budget is a sign of something deeper and more devastating to the Twin Cities.

What is keeping people from investing in our empty downtowns? What keeps people from visiting, and spending their money? What keeps them from moving to, living and thriving in our area? Survey public opinion in the area, or from the whole of New England, and see if the public finds our area desirable to spend time, capital, and lives.

Without a vibrant arts community, the answer is no. What does it take to light the fire of vision in our public officials? Art is not a panacea, but it is key.

Other cities in Maine have used the governor’s plan to greatly improve their economies. I look at Bangor, a city that worked with their local institution of higher education. This partnership brought a high-end museum into Bangor’s decaying downtown, with the goal of revitalization. The plan worked, despite loud voices who said it was useless.

This effort in Bangor has spurred redevelopment, provided cultural cachet to attract professionals and their families, generated new businesses, infused the economy of the area with new funds and revitalized the downtown culturally, aesthetically, and visually. Instead of tearing down buildings, they put them to new and creative use.

This makes it clear it’s not just a lack of budget that’s our cities’ malaise; it is the lack of vision.

Art is not just for children, as I’ve heard councilors say, it is for everyone, and it’s an intrinsic part of education and culture. Art is of lasting economic impact on the community, defines who we are, and what we are to become. Art is the measure of our generation’s legacy.

Vision and inspiration on the part of our cities asks them to look at what can be done, not what we cannot do. Vision, and its implementation, is proactive, positive, and should be part of the character of our officials. It is the responsibility of our leaders in public office to bring visionary ideas to fruition.

I, for one, will take this observation of our city government to the voting booth, and will support leaders who embrace the arts as a major force in developing the future of our cities.

I will be looking for leaders that demonstrate the capacity for visionary leadership. I encourage the rest of the citizens of L-A to add their voices to mine. If you don’t speak, no one hears, so please make your voices heard in the most public way you can and support, not only the arts in L-A, but a future only possible by a city-wide culture that supports, subsidizes, and engages with art and artists.

This is the way to make positive and deeply important changes in the often difficult and schizophrenic culture of the Twin Cities.

Leland Faulkner, of Auburn, is a film maker, performing artist, director, and former Maine Arts Commissioner. E-mail him at [email protected].