Before I start blogging, I thought it would be a good idea to take a moment and introduce myself. My name is Diane Ruggiero and I am the Superintendent of Cultural Arts for the City of Asheville. My division is in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and I oversee public art, cultural arts programs at our 11 recreation centers and 50+ parks, and festivals. The position has been here for almost six years and my one-year anniversary is in January (although some days it seems that I’ve been here longer).
I graduated from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte with a B.A. in Art History/Museum Studies and later with a M.A. in Arts Administration. I have been in the cultural arts for a while and have worked in a variety of cultural arts venues before coming to Asheville: living history museum, fine art museum, public library, symphony, and a grass-roots art center.
I think I am the only “bureaucrat” (notice the lower-case “b”) guest blogger. As I blog, I hope to share an alternate point of view to certain issues and explore the role of a municipality in the arts. I also feel that what we’ll notice are a lot of similar challenges and concerns. I’ll also just blog some fun stuff every now and then.
I’m looking forward to “talking” with all of you.
Popularity: 2%
Hi, Diane! This posting turned up in my “Google Alerts” because it had “NC” and “Public Libray” in the text. What fun! I hope you are doing well. Found a house yet? I see you on Facebook from time to time. Keep in touch. PE
Not that it’s ever a bowl of cherries, but this is a particularly difficult economic environment during which to get municipal support for the arts. At least that’s what I would imagine.
How can municipalities maintain their arts and culture programs while cutting other areas?
Blogging about art is super great! =)
This is great! You are now on my must-read sites.
Gordon, I’m very interested in that question too. Specifically, I’m curious to know how many municipalities are cutting arts and cultural funding.
Here in Illinois, local funding has been one way arts organizations could compensate for depressed funding on the state level. I worry that artists and arts organizations are not just facing political gridlock anymore, but also a bad economy.
What are things like in your town?
Thank you all so much for your comments!
For Gordon and Scarlett – I’ll be blogging in the coming weeks about what we’re doing about the current economic conditions and talk about the impact that it will have on the community.
I’ll also talk about how the phrase “core service” sends a chill down my spine.
I’ll blog again soon.
Asheville is definitely on the top of my favourite places list. I visited two summers ago and always wanted to go back… I felt that arts is everywhere in Asheville. Looking forward to your blog!
I think this is a great way to learn about and promote the Cultural Arts in Asheville.
With such a broad spectrum of activities under the banner of Cultural Arts, I think we will learn a lot from you in the next year.
We at Carolina Mornings, Asheville, NC Mountain vacation Rental company are supporting the community arts by featuring a Dinner Theater Package:
2 tickets to Santaland (a great David Sedaris play) and a $50 gift certificate to Zambra (tapas and wine bar) for just $55 to any 2 night reservation.
We are always looking for new ideas to support the arts community and enjoy the partnerships.
I love the arts in Asheville and share Gordon and Scarlett’s concern about managing it in troubled times. Hopefully, there will still be publicly organized art. Like that beautiful Riversculpture thingie down at the French Broad River park – what happened there??
Diane – what a vital job you have that impacts the vitality of our wonderful city – Asheville. The arts in Asheville is one of the key characteristics that makes us who we are – as we sit in this priviledged spot in our wonderful mountains.
I look forward to your blogs.
Nan
The arts are alive and well this Holiday Season in Asheville! Please come enjoy The Bernstein Brothers’ Christmas Spectacular at NC Stage Company in downtown Asheville, opening tomorrow night! Voted a Smart Bet by the Mountain Xpress this week! Look for a review in the Take 5 on Friday! Come out and support the arts! http://www.ncstage.org/pages/on-stage/catalyst-series/the-bernstein-brothers-christmas-spectacular.php
Asheville is a beautiful city. One of my favorite places to visit.
Hi Diane, I have enjoyed reading your blog. I am located in the greater Chicago area, why am I interested, I am getting ready to retire and as I grew up in Waynesville, NC, I am interested in what is happening in the area. I have been an artist for over 45 years and have taught art for over 25. I, of course, hope there will be a chance to grow my art in the greater Ashville area. I have owned and taught in my art school for the past 11 years and taught art in collage for 13 years. I have read mostly positive reports about the art in Ashville, but also some not so good. I will keep reading and hope things are still exciting in Ashville in Art. Your Chicago connectioin.
Dominick