Great Expectations

Concerning THE BIG CANVAS...
The concept was noble and the scope of what they wanted to embrace was appropriately colossal. I salute all those who put it all together, and all those who came out to participate to any of the many branches of this big tree.
One large problem, which made the endeaver no less honorable, was that the citizens most reached were generally older arts patrons and those attached directly to some arts organization. As a result, you have an assessment of the arts through their eyes.
What was and is missing from the process are the thoughts, dreams, hopes, desires and realities of those in the trenches... the artists themselves. Artists, musicians, teachers, professors can be represented somewhat by related arts organizations, but their actual physical presence and participation was needed for better balance.
Having said that, I know that can be like herding cats. Artists, especially young artists, can feel like they're creating in a vacuum of themselves and no one else. A great many don't feel connected to the major institutions, and though I joyfully interacted with many representatives of smaller and even obscure arts organizations during The Big Canvas, I feel we did not successfully attract a broad enough range of those neck deep in the arts.
I mention this because, 5 years from now when we all attempt the next phase of this grand process, the 'reaching out' must be given a stronger, more emphatic place at the beginning of the planning stages.
The Big Canvas did put the idea that we all can and must take a part in concieving how the arts fit into our lives as Philadelphians and Delaware Valleyans, and forced the issue onto the table for our elected officials. This will bear fruit over time in many ways that likely would have yielded bare branches if The Big Canvas had not come together. Congratulations on all that remarkable hard work!

A comment from Natalie, who attended The Big Canvas Confab: I thought I would share some ideas that came to mind during the breakout session. Great event, by the way. The Philly Fun Guide: * The Philly Fun Guide needs to be advertised everywhere * Ads for Phillyfunguide.com and the funsavers email should appear on every playbill and piece of literature distributed at theaters, music venues, and movie theaters, and in the Philly Metro newspaper. How about publicizing at high rise apartments and continuing care facilities in the region. Lots of other places too that I can't think of at the moment. * There are lots of non-profit organizations that could probably benefit from this information. For example, I work with a mentoring program that is always looking for cultural opportunities at a reasonable price. I also am associated with an adult literacy program that could also use this. There are probably a gazilliion others in that same category. * Online advertising - start with all of the people who attended the conference. Ask everyone to sign up for the email notices and ask each person to consider sending this information to others who might be interested. Transportation and Parking: I read somewhere that the municipal parking lots might lower their rates to compensate for the rise in rates for metered parking. If that's the case, it should be publicized. A while back, parking lots were charging $1 on Wednesday evenings, and there were a number of areas where on-street parking was free on Wednesdays as well. I think it was one of the best-kept secrets ever. It would be great to do something like that again and advertise it like crazy in the burbs. Also, there were a number of people in Philly who used to arrange bus trips to New York -- packages that included lunch, theater tickets, etc. I don't know if anyone is still doing that, but if so, it should be expanded to include packages for day trips to Philly.