Counsel on Culture pt. 2

Some more thoughts on this...
(http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/194784541.html)

maybe a better, or more productive, way to think about this issue isn't "what's wrong with our officials" it's"Why AREN'T local artists getting jobs such as this one?"

I mean, I agree with the arguments put forth on the subject on facebook so far (MKE artists could have done better, why outsource, we need SERIOUS art projects, involve the community), but it's very easy to sit back and criticize a non-local and their project when you had no part in any of it. Instead of blaming officials for being bad at art-choosing, why don't we turn that investigation around and see why the local scene isn't the obvious first choice for those very people...

Is the local community producing good work?

Is the local community producing good shows?
Do you apply for grants or opportunities like the discussed project?
Have you proposed things like this to the necessary organizations?
Are the artists making the work/shows accessible and known?
Are the local shows/work produced memorable?
Do YOU promote other's shows or work?
Is there a large gallery-perusing public?
Have you personally done anything to improve the view of LOCAL arts?
Are local artists being supported by other local media?
Are local shows being advertised, reviewed, or otherwise supported?
Is the local art-community welcoming or does a non-artist feel intimidated by you and your "group?"
Are YOU supporting the local scene or just talking about it?

I'm all about the local scene, but being local doesn't equal deserving. We need to show our worth, not expect reward and complain when someone else gets it. I believe Milwaukee has some very good artists...but that doesn't mean the city owes us or that we owe the city. Instead of criticizing what's been done, let's find out why they went that way and work to make OUR ARTISTS the first thought of those officials, if that's really our goal...