The Importance of Public Art

Cloud Gate Sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago, IL

What comes to mind when you think of public art? The term public art is used to encompass a work of art in any media that has been planned and executed with the intention of being visible in the public sphere. Public art is usually outside, free, and accessible to all. In contrast with traditional artwork featured in fine and contemporary museums, public art is much less passive because it exists in the midst of our everyday lives- we move around it, it changes in the light and seasons, and it becomes an integral part of the community we live in.

With a shift toward tolerance and more liberal ideas, combined with an emphasis on the value of creativity, data suggests that public art has been growing in popularity within the last 15 years. More public art coalitions and organizations have sprung up in urban areas and college towns across the United States—but it’s not just art enthusiasts and private donors behind the push for more community art. Some people are surprised to learn that the federal government, state, and local governments have been allocating funds for public art projects too. Even smaller economic development organizations are getting involved in areas not traditionally known as art communities. For example, Lansing Economic Development Partnership (LEAP), a regional economic development organization in Michigan, recently announced that they would be designating $30,000 for a public art grant program in nearby townships.

The benefits of public art are numerous. First, because public art is typically installed in frequent and high-foot traffic areas, works can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, professions, and walks of life. They don’t require dishing out extra cash, dressing up for a fancy gala, or going out of your way to appreciate them. Public art is free and accessible for all- allowing direct, ongoing encounters that stimulate thoughts about art, society, connectivity, and more. Public art makes people more aware of their surroundings in general by causing people to question what they know, and take a different perspective by trying to understand the meaning behind the art piece in the space it is found. The ability to think critically and abstractly about such works provides a useful tool that can be transferred into other areas of life, personally and professionally.

Aside from broadening people’s mind, making them more aware of their surroundings, and creating an understanding of different viewpoints, public art creates an attachment to one’s community. Consider a survey called Knight Soul of the Community (SOTC) conducted by Gallup over three years across the United States. The goal of the survey was to understand the factors that attach residents to their communities emotionally, and to discover the role community attachment plays in an area’s stability and economic growth. Gallup surveyed approximately 43,000 people in 43 cities and discovered that “social offerings, openness and welcome-ness,” and, importantly, the “aesthetics of a place– its art, parks, and green spaces,” ranked higher than safety, education, and the local economy as a “driver of attachment.” Some studies even suggest that public art can result in economic revitalization by making communities more attractive to live and work in.

Public art has the ability to make an area more interesting and vibrant. Just think of how many places have gained character and widespread recognition for their iconic artwork alone. Perhaps Anish Kapoor’s unusual sculpture Cloud Gate (otherwise known as the Bean) in Chicago comes to mind, or the Olympic Sculpture Park along the Seattle waterfront. Public artwork enriches communities by adding an off-beat, thought-provoking element to the spaces we live and move through. These works often become popular attractions, and prized icons, in the city they’re part of for visitors and residents alike. Regardless of where they’re placed, public artworks have short and long term advantages that everyone can enjoy. What public art do you love most? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! 

One Little Idea to Help out Healthcare

The president has come up with his budget request, which entails cuts to the Medicare program and increases in domestic security. While I understand that this feeds into our national obsession with being safe from the terrorist threat, the inefficiency with which we go about trying to accomplish this approaches that of delivering health care in this country, which seems to be a lingering problem we can never shake. Couldn't we:

1. Impose a $1 a gallon tax on gasoline so that we can starve out those authoritarian regimes we are up against by decreasing consumption of the one commodity that props them up? 
2. Spend some dollars training foreign speakers so that we can actually decipher some of those communications that we are so keen on intercepting? 
3. Understand that we are not the only ones suffering at the hands of religious zealots and extremists (e.g. the Danes)? 

I wonder if providers could get in on the homeland security action. We could pitch the notion that preventive care improves security by keeping people out of hospitals, so that they could spend more time being vigilant, mindful, etc. I mean, look at Jack Bauer, the counter terrorism agent on “24”. He is one healthy dude, right? He has got to be getting some stellar health care.

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My Business Minded Cousin George

As a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, my cousin George had only a vague idea of what he wanted to pursue as a career. He was intelligent, driven, analytical, and always emerged as a leader in teamwork environments. He was good at taking a problem, examining it, and applying abstract theories to solve it. He thought in terms of ideas and possibilities, but unlike many dreamers, he also had the remarkable ability to make intangibles into realities. He could have been successful at almost anything, which may have created some of his indecision. He wanted to find something he wasn’t just good at, but passionate about.

Our family encouraged him to follow in the footsteps of his father, who had opened his own corner bicycle shop and rental store in Myrtle Beach at the age of 23. His shop had been a booming success and local go-to for people on vacation looking to enjoy the warm sunshine and picturesque scenery firsthand. George had been raised around great businessmen who knew the niche markets, and how to have influence in them. George, a spitting image of his old man, was remarkably charismatic. Coupled with his business savvy and remarkable mind, we were certain he would do well in business. After joining an undergraduate business association his sophomore year, he was determined to obtain a B.A. in Business Process Management. I am proud to declare that he graduated this past May from the Business College with honors in the top ten percent of his class (It’s alright for me to brag a little, right?!).

Now that George is out in the working world, he’s expressed how much he misses studying effective models for business management, market case studies and learning a whole slew of other business-related materials. I had a feeling he would miss the academic sphere. While he’s doing well for himself as an Account Manager at his current job, I think the idea of managing an entire company from the top down, and maybe even founding one, is growing more and more appealing. With that being said, I think grad schools are on the horizon in his near future.

I have begun to do some research on the best, most affordable Full-time MBA programs available here in Illinois to send him. We have some relatives up north who have mentioned there are several reasonably affordable MBA programs in Michigan that George should consider as well. According to US News & World Report, the MSU Broad College of Business Full-time MBA was ranked 19^th among public universities and 44^th overall. I don’t know much about Michigan State, but it does seem like there are Spartan alumni everywhere. Just last week I sat next to a State grad on a flight back from Atlanta. We talked for a while and he seemed like a great guy. I’m still digging up info on what they offer and other programs he should consider.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up. I know he’ll be successful regardless, I just want him to get the best education possible. I look forward to speaking with him in the coming weeks about these new opportunities!

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Off on a Holiday Vacation

I can’t believe it has been over a month since I got back from Laguna Beach; time is just flying by! I have been so busy taking care of my work tasks before the holidays that I haven’t even had time to sit down and throw together a blog post until now. My post will be short because I need to finish packing for a last minute vacation!

My wife bought tickets for us to go on a luxury train vacation over the holidays! She claims the tickets are her Christmas present to me, but I'm not so sure about that. I don't know anybody that likes to go on train vacations as much as my wife so I think they are just as much of a present to her as they are to me! Either way, I know I can use the vacation after the stressful month I’ve had at work so I’m not going to complain.

   

I haven’t been on a train trip before so I am excited to experience a new adventure, but more importantly, I’m looking forward to relaxing! I hope everyone can relax and enjoy time with your friends and family too!

Happy Holidays! 

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Coming Back from Vacation

I just returned from a wonderful weekend in Laguna Beach. My hats are off to the Anti-war protestors who are engaging in the American Political process hoping for change. As a U.S. Marine, I'm saddened by all of the tragic deaths that have occurred based on bush's lie; W.M.D. I also must grieve for the innocent Iraqis that have died while bush on his high horse has been pursuing terrorist. I agree that we must fight terrorism but we must be precise, strategic, and have a realistic exit strategy. Make no mistake. The reason we are in Iraq is oil. Bush his family, Cheney, and all of the neocons have invaded a country based on the premise that they were somehow connected to Al Queda/9/11. In all actuality, 18 of the 21 highjackers came from Saudi Arabia. Why did we not invade Saudi Arabia? Because Saudi Arabia is already giving us oil. Bush and the neocons want to monopolize Iraq's wealth of untouched oil. Remember if you weren't with us during the war, you could not help rebuild Iraq and gain access to oil.

I'm sometimes saddened that the American public votes by party identification. I truly wonder how true conservatives can explain our national debt, tax cuts for the rich, out of control spending by a Republican Legislature and White house. This president, his administration and Republican Legislature have spent more money than any other president in our nations history. We are deeper in debt than we have ever been, and continue to mortgage our children's financial future. Unemployment continues to grow. Why are the conservatives not speaking up?

I support our troops. Bring them home and get them out of harms way. After serving my country for 8 years I watch in disbelief as our country spends out of control and continues to slash veterans and military benefits. Bush to his credit did take credit for the bungled response to hurricane Katrina. Now if he would bring our troops home, repeal his tax cuts, save (not privatize) social security our country might have some hope of regaining lost ground that happened on his watch. I do not foresee this happening, but one can dream.

Again my hat is off to Cindy Sheehan and all of the antiwar protestors! Those who believe in helping our troops must continue to contact state and federal elected officials and speak out against bush's lie. Keep up the good work, attend peaceful protest and continue to write your local newspapers. Our efforts must go on to save the rest of the troops who are dying for bush's lie.

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Finding Jobs if You're Unemployed

Job search networking can be very intimidating. It is important that you understand the concept of job search networking give and take. You may be in a panic situation since you have lost your job and you will do just about anything to get a new one. It's important that you do just the opposite . Don't panic. Clear thinking is what you need the most now.

If you didn't know you were supposed to develop relationships, now is the time to start. It's great to start off by doing searches on Google for your specialty  For example, instead of looking at overall doctor websites for finding, dig into your own specialty, such as browsing Emergency Medicine jobs if that is your specialty. Eventually though, you will need to find the person in charge of those job postings and openings. Take the list of contacts you already have or start making a new list. Find the names of people who can help you in your job search immediately. Think of all of the people you know from your former employer. Surely you worked well with one or more of those individuals. It's very likely that they know someone outside of your last employer that you can talk to. Maybe they even know of a good headhunter that placed them in their position that they can have you call. It's possible that they have spouses who might be able to give you a hint or two.

When you call them, let them know of your situation. Don't go into too much detail. Just let them know that you are seeing a new opportunity and would very much appreciate if they would keep you in mind or tell others about you. Tell them you enjoyed working with them and that you would like to stay in touch - and then do it - even if it is through a yearly card or phone call. Tell them if they ever need help or a recommendation not to hesitate to contact you.

You have to start somewhere and this is one of the best places to start your job search networking.

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Wooden Sets for your Home

There are a few things to consider when you are choosing breakfast nook wooden furniture for your kitchen in order to make sure that you get the best breakfast nook set for you and your family. You need to look at the shape of the room as well as how large it is. You will also want to pay attention to the color and style of decorating used in the rest of the kitchen so that you carry through the same themes. For example, if your is made from log siding, then you will want to match your kitchen and home furniture with the theme of the exterior of your house.

Size and shape are probably the two most important attributes when choosing a breakfast nook table. You want to look at the size and shape of the room for guidance. If the breakfast nook sticks out from the kitchen in a half octagon shape with windows on all sides, then you want to look for a hexagonal or round wooden table made from cedar or birch wood. If the breakfast nook area is just a continuation of a rectangular kitchen then you should look for a rectangular or square breakfast nook table depending on how far out the extension goes.

Once you decide on the shape of the table, the next step is to choose your optimal dimensions. Basically, you want to table to be as large as possible and still fit comfortably in the space provided. You never know who might be coming over for dinner and you want to be able to accommodate as many as possible in a casual setting rather than a formal dining room. Even if you are a family of two and thought you should be looking for small wooden breakfast tables, let the room dictate the size rather than your family size. Take the dimensions of the room and subtract about three feet from each dimension to account for the pulling in and out of wooden chairs.

After you know the shape and size of table you want, you will start to look at design, materials of construction, and colors. Try to match the decor and style of the rest of the kitchen as well as possible. For example, if your kitchen is a country theme then you should look for a wooden table stained or painted a lighter color. Or, if your kitchen is more modern, you can look for a glass table with leather upholstered chairs.

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