3.15.2005
Informal survey
Hideeho my northern neighbors.As I near the end of my first year in Madison, visions of theseses (thesi? thesen?) float in my head. I have been thinking about some sort of project involving the Duluth arts. I don't know what it would be, but I have observed the following things recently:
Renegade Theatre is homeless.
A new theatre started up w/ the MAC.
The MAC closed.
The Playground opened.
The Ripsaw appears to be in a state of Limbo. (is Transistor still alive?)
The Norshor, ah like a phoenix from the ashes, again, and again, and again....
Colder By the Lake performs another show after years of silence.
The Depot board fiasco.
The emergence of the Free Range Film Festival.
I'm sure there are more. But as you see, there are positives and negatives. I know that will always be the case. My questions are:
Is there a lack of cohesiveness in the arts community?
Are the local promoters getting burned out?
Where is the future of Duluth arts headed?
What's good and what needs to change?
Why doesn't Duluth have any prominent festivals besides the blues fest? Why not a theatre festival or an art fair (besides the park point art fair, i love it but it also feels like half art fair/half garage sale)?
Please don't think i'm bashing the art scene at all. I quite love it. I'd just like to see a discussion to help me brainstorm some ideas.