Volunteer * Endorse * Donate * Organize * Issues
Gayle's 10-point Plan Index Page Gayle's Campaign Page

Steps to Achieve this Part of Gayle's Plan

10. The Arts, Culture and Global Connections

Richmond has many cultural expressions and a vibrant art community. The arts, often overlooked and marginalized, not only contribute to the cultural character of our City, as a venue for individual and collective reflection and healing, but also can act as a revenue-producing sector. I will foster partnerships between individual artists and groups of artists, local small business and not-for-profit organizations, and our local public TV station KCRT. These partnerships could result in expanding venues for Richmond’s artists.

As mayor, I will:
Put the arts to work by increasing arts funding, helping arts organizations acquire
affordable space, and increasing the inclusion of arts components in public works projects.
Support City funding for the Richmond Art Center and the East Bay Center for the
Performing Arts, assuring these great art facilities can continue to survive, flourish, and
bring cultural enrichment to Richmond.
Recognize the centrality of art in a well-rounded education by supporting a regional
blueprint for arts education, encouraging funding partners as well as artists and arts
organizations to play a more active role in allocating resources to our public schools,
and initiating a Visiting Artist program.
Ensure a diverse arts community by supporting the Arts and Culture Commission,
promoting both demographic and geographic diversity on the commission and through
the commission’s work. I will support the commission’s ongoing efforts to help the City shift
away from a culture of violence toward a community development culture.
Impact accessibility of the arts by promoting single-screen neighborhood movie theaters
and by encouraging existent and new community playhouses and art studios.
Support a Rainbow Cultural and Entertainment District in our downtown featuring the
diversity of Richmond‘s cultures and traditions.
Maintain and expand the sister city relationships that currently exist and promote new
ones, particularly connecting local Richmond residents with their communities of origin.