When thinking of the Dallas art scene, live music from the clubs of Deep Ellum might blast in one’s head; perhaps a serene view of the Nasher sculpture gardens or the newest exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art or Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum crowds one’s mind. Long story short, Dallas already has a vibrant arts community. However, the city is taking steps to strengthen and analyze its art scene by determining how Dallas citizens experience art in their daily lives.
Lily Forbes, a member of Hockaday’s Fine Art’s Board, thinks that art is important for young people as well. At Hockaday, for example, the arts are a strong part of a student’s daily life whether they participate in ceramics, choir, dance, debate, film, journalism, orchestra, photography, studio art, theater, or theater crew.
“I believe that art really brings people together, especially in this day and age, because it offers a break from [everything] and allows for people to experience raw human emotions in a unique way,” Forbes said.
During the year long process of the Dallas Cultural Plan, the city’s representatives and and artists will plan how to keep Dallas an arts friendly environment. The plan has three stages: researching what the citizens of Dallas have to say, assessing what each dallas neighborhood has to say then refining its plan, according to the plan’s website.
In order for the plan to succeed, Dallas residents need to get involved. By answering a survey about arts in one’s neighborhood and their personal interests, the committees for the plan can cater the Dallas arts scene to its resident’s tastes.
The Cultural plan itself focuses on bringing together communities through art. Especially with all of the tragedy occurring in the world, inclusion and unity is crucial.
“Culture is such a huge part of a person’s life and inclusivity really means embracing human characteristics. Culture is an art form. To be inclusive of one another, we must welcome differences, and I think it’s really cool that Dallas is working on this inclusive plan,” Student Diversity Board member Richa Kapoor said.
To help spread awareness of the cultural plan, there are many things one can do. A helping contribution would be for people to attend more art events. Therefore, the city of Dallas encourages people to go to events, and even provides an “art ecosystem map” for its citizens: anyone can personally cater their artistic outings at the click of a button.
According to the Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition, arts agencies employ more than 10,000 people as full- or part-time employees or independent contractors. By strengthening the Dallas arts scene, and therefore creating more jobs and boosting funding for art.
The arts in Dallas metropolitan area is already strong from Garland to Bishop Arts District. But, the city of Dallas recognizes a need for cultural inclusion in art throughout its different demographics. Anyone can get involved with the Dallas Cultural Plan, a one year program which aims to engage residents and promote inclusivity through art, by supporting local art festivities.
Eliana Goodman – Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Dallas Cultural Plan
