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A few thoughts On Our Regional Character
Culturally, SE Wyoming struggles with an identity issue. Indifference to arts that aren't a parcel of U.Wyo and a real indulgence in and passion for the extractive industries and resource management issues renders local artists and arts as dispensable and made a phantom of the creative economy--though it doesn't have to be that way. We also have an odd regionalism dictated by statehood, and arising from rivalry between state sports teams that has created an unfortunate cross-border conflict. Historically north and south of the border we act like we pretend to be distinct interstate regions, altho' culturally we are so much the same, only artificially separated by the Colo/Wy border. When it comes to urban issues, we are closer than we think as we identify with similar issues of our own. And Denver? we are closer to that city than we are to many of our more northern and western Wyoming neighbors. I envision a cultural medium that brings art and artists from all over this region together, planning together and meeting the challenge of a more holistic social and cultural habitat that encompasses the true "regional" character both north and south of the border. --Terry R. Reid

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Arts & Economic Prosperity III Study A study conducted by Americans for the Arts, in cooperation with 156 communities and regions representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, finds America's nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year - $63.1 billion in spending by organizations and an additional $103.1 billion in event-related spending by audiences (not including cost of event admission). The national impact of this activity is significant, supporting 5.7 million jobs and generating $29.6 billion in government revenue. To read more about how much of an economic impact the arts have on one American community, go to www.tacomaculture.org/

Night Heron Books on the web & www.therez.org featuring informative pod casts

Pod Cast
ART In LARAMIE:
"Mob Mentality"
on "Rapid Evolution Radio" November 9th, 2009 / a discussion between Ken Koschnitzki owner Night Heron Books in Laramie and Terry R. Reid, founder of NorthernFront

Our Healthy Art Scene
A Dominant Influence on the Arts
by Terry R. Reid [3-17-'10]

The Situation: public entities form a protective umbrella for the arts in SE Wyoming. Most of the arts consumed in Laramie, particularly, is funded through public conduits of governing and educational support--like the University of Wyoming, the community college system and the State of Wyoming. Of course, the benefits are tremendous. Shaping much of our cultural landscape, such public institutions fill our lives with great artistic resources and provide many enjoyable community assets. In a region like ours, with stagnant local economies, these bodies form a safety net where sparse alternatives can be found. The unfortunate result is that they're often the only game in town and this serves the arts unfairly. By playing such a large role in arts affairs, they may at times either hinder the growth of the private arts sector or act in lieu of it. What exists is an environment in which large public entities have the unfair advantage of edging out market competition, which results in cultural offerings that lack the quality of regional diversity; this translates into a paucity of opportunities for independent artists and arts providers.

And so, essentially, professional artists looking for artistic growth in Laramie are limited by what they find here: a listless, indifferent art scene dominated by an unimpassioned academia with little interest in local arts affairs (and rightly so). Without the support funding received from such public bodies, the arts in Southeast Wyoming would be in a very tenuous position. Because the art community, (the one made up of local, independent artists, band members, dancers, actors, etc, at least the ones that choose to stay in our midst after college or arrive here hoping for greener pastures) -- this art community-- lacks a supportive private sector.

Question? How do we create a thriving arts community? Are state or federally sponsored endowments enough? Should there be more private investment in the arts? .... {Read more? Click Healthy Art Scene in Albany County

ART in Albany County:
a tough way to make a living [1-15-'010]
Being an artist is difficult enough. And sometimes the most talented artists go unrecognized while their art lingers in obscurity. What does the public think of that? For artists who have staked their lives on art, that public attitude can mean everything. In Albany County, disadvantaged artists find themselves in a tough spot economically.... {Read more? Click The Challenge for Artists, Art Organizations}