As we suspect he knew it would when he wrote it, Jon Caldara’s Sunday column, “The dangers of public art,” has inspired us to write in defense of public funding for the arts.
We are glad Caldara brings a spotlight to pieces of public art that have become part of the fabric of our civic life in Denver. At the heart of Caldara’s argument are two, demonstrably false assertions. The first is that taxpayers see no value in public art and given the chance they would melt down “I See What You Mean” (aka The Big Blue Bear) or “Dancers” (aka Dancing Aliens) and fill a pot hole or build an elementary school. The second is that even if taxpayer support is real, it is misguided in that it will only create sub-standard, “tepid” art — the kind of art only a bureaucracy could love.
We have three decades worth of evidence that people do support public funding for the arts. Denver’s public art policy, which provides money for accessible, public art with each municipally-funded construction project celebrates its 30th birthday this year. The policy was publicly vetted and adopted by a past city council and mayor, all elected officials. The residents of Denver now own 400 pieces of public art, much of it of national significance and all of it deeply relevant to the city’s cultural heritage. Since the policy’s adoption, we’re not aware of any mayor being forced to leave office over a groundswell of opposition. In terms of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, it too celebrates 30 years of voter support in 2018. Four times over the life of this small sales tax, voters have overwhelmingly said yes to applying one penny to every $10 spent. In exchange, they have funding for nearly 300 arts, culture and science organizations of all sizes and unprecedented access to beloved institutions and events. Both pack an economic development punch that far surpasses the taxpayer investment.
As for his points about art and culture being stifled due to government influence, again, 30 years of evidence would seem to suggest otherwise. Far from Caldara’s dystopian view, the art and cultural programs created through investments chosen and supported by taxpayers have been a testament to all art can do. It has caused us to debate and discuss. It has encouraged us to feel and find new perspectives. And in our case, it has moved us to write in its defense. So, thanks to Jon Caldara for keeping the spirit of public support of the arts alive, even if his reasons for doing so were dead wrong.
Deborah Jordy is the executive director of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Kent Rice is the executive director of Denver Arts & Venues.
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