Author: Penny Olorenshaw
"Pyramids, cathedrals, and rockets exist not because of geometry, theories of structures, or thermodynamics, but because they were first a picture--literally a vision--in the minds of those who built them. Society is where it is today because people had the perception; the images and the imagination; the creativity that the Arts provide, to make the world the place we live in today."
–Eugene Ferguson, Historian
What makes a great community? Ask ten people and you're likely to get ten different answers. It's not likely that they'll say it's the buildings they live and work in, although those are all vital, especially in a climate like our own. They might talk about community events or sports teams or excellent schools, all essential contributors to a dynamic city. Perhaps they would mention civic leadership and thriving businesses. Certainly a community needs all of these but even with all those elements in place, it's just a place to live.
What makes it special is the creativity people bring to living their daily lives.
Often when we talk about creativity, we immediately think of a painter putting brushstrokes on a canvas or a composer perfecting a musical phrase. But you don't have to be an 'artist' to be creative.
Creativity is the special touches a mother adds to her family's holiday celebrations, the poignancy in a child's drawing on a Remembrance Day theme, or an eloquent turn of phrase in a persuasive letter to the editor. It's the design a barista adds to the foam on an espresso, the artistry in a shop's window display, and the park along the river that lets us connect with our surroundings. Creativity is all around us and in each of us; for a community to be truly great, that creativity needs to be encouraged and nurtured.
How do we develop creativity as a community? It comes from allowing ourselves the freedom to explore 'what if' without judgment, from helping our children to consider all the possible solutions to a dilemma, from supporting a city initiative that seems out of reach or far-fetched, and from providing those who have chosen an artistic path the opportunity to share their ideas and inspirations.
And there is an economic benefit to supporting creativity in a community. The potential for tourism is greatly enhanced by offering opportunities to connect with the arts through galleries, theatre performances and music festivals. Studies have shown that tourists who partake of the arts tend to have higher income levels, spend longer in an area, stay in local accommodations and shop and dine out more often. A community with a vibrant arts scene attracts other creative professionals and businesses such as digital technologies, which offer higher than average salaries. According to the cultural plan recently adopted by Hastings County, "we see creativity, culture and quality of place as major drivers in attracting talent and investment in our Region." As our area shifts away from 'traditional' industries, identifying and capitalizing on our cultural resources will be the key to future prosperity.
Quinte West's growing artistic community is supported and enhanced by the activities of Arts Quinte West, a grassroots, member-driven organization devoted to the promotion and presentation of all forms of the arts in our area. Members represent a wide range of artistic expression from visual to performing arts and include local businesses and individuals who, while not actively involved in artistic pursuits, are nonetheless looking for ways to improve life in their community.
Assisted by the City of Quinte West, the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce and business sponsorships, Arts Quinte West displays the work of its members through its AQW Showcase program which includes a display at City Hall and at The Gallery at 84 Dundas Street West. A new gallery concert series was kicked off recently with a classical guitar performance by Belleville's James Lowrie. Arts Quinte West also produces annual events such as Arts UpFront, with artists displaying in businesses along Front Street, and takes part in Downtown Trenton's Festival on the Bay, Savour Food and Drink Festival, Trenton Big Band Festival and other community events.
The studio space at The Gallery (editor's note: the Gallery is now closed) is the scene of monthly Creative Boost events hosted by Art for Everyone! where people are invited to expand their creative horizons. Art for Everyone! also offers children's art classes at The Gallery, including courses for home-schoolers that follow the Ontario curriculum. Upcoming classes include a program to help teachers incorporate art and creativity into the classroom.
By being an active proponent of creativity for people of all ages and interests, Arts Quinte West is helping to make Quinte West a great community.
For more information on Arts Quinte West, visit artsquintewest.ca.
This article was originally published in Artisan's Bay Magazine in July 2013.