Creation of an Arts District on the island
To the editor:
As Sanibel continues its recovery from the recent hurricanes, it might be the time to consider the formal creation of an Arts District. While there is an increasing discussion as to how to attract and occupy tourists, as well as local residents, with things like mini-golf courses, water slides and additional retail and restaurants, I recommend that the city turn instead to an asset it all ready has: a vibrant and growing arts community and infrastructure.
Arts and culture can become a central component of a successful community and economic development strategy. The arts can and do stimulate:
– Tourism and hospitality growth
– Restaurant and retail expansion
– Historic preservation and adaptive reuse
– Real estate investment
– Public private partnerships
– Regional, state and national branding
This is exemplified by two cities in New Mexico, Santa Fe and Taos. These are but two examples of communities that have leveraged the arts to become an important foundation of their economy.
I recommend the city form a public-private partnership via a 501(c) 3 nonprofit to aggressively promote arts and culture as both an economic development and quality-of -life strategy.
The city should consider special zoning and development provisions to encourage the arts. Such initiatives as allowing artists to live in the same spaces as their workshops and galleries and ease the permitting protocols that are often difficult and expensive hurdles in locating to Sanibel.
In addition, a special tax district — a CRA under the now nonprofit — should create a designated geographic area within the city to provide special tax benefits that would help attract and retain local artists and galleries.
As a component of the arts district, local government should pursue a preservation-oriented approach. It should focus heavily on protecting the historic character of Sanibel and the artistic authenticity that can attract and retain artists to Sanibel.
Municipal efforts could include:
– Partnership with nonprofits to promote cultural tourism and artist studio tours, not just once a month, although the Sanibel Island Art Hop is great. It should include local retail and restaurants in the mix, much like Luminary.
– In conjunction with the nonprofit directly, it should financially support local arts councils, exhibitions and community art festivals.
– There needs to be better collaboration with galleries, museums and cultural organizations, rather than working in silos and, at times, with cross purposes.
– Engage the arts community on Captiva.
Funding of the new nonprofit could come from grants of other 501 (c) foundations, such as the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. It recently came into some additional resources via the sale of its 22 acre-Captiva compound. This would be a way for the foundation to support the original intention of Rauschenberg in regard to environmental preservation and support of the arts. Other local foundations and private individuals who support the arts could also be solicited to support the new nonprofit.
The city should be the catalyst to put this in motion, but it is not the ideal vehicle to plan and implement this concept. Hence, the proposed 501(c) 3 independent nonprofit is the vehicle of choice to plan and implement this initiative. This structure is a proven effective model.
The 501(c) 3 acting as a foundation could also provide financial and business support to artists already on the island, as well as those looking to locate here. It can also play a role to develop a more integrated business and arts sector on Sanibel.
The city could continue to play a role in historic reuse of existing now empty or abandoned structures that could be converted to spaces for additional artists and galleries. An architectural preservation and reuse should also be part of the city’s portfolio and objective.
Sanibel could become known not only for shelling and as a sanctuary island, but also a go-to place for arts and cultural tourism. It would provide a key benefit for local residents, many who already patronize the arts. An indirect benefit would be increased investment to revitalize the Periwinkle Way corridor with acceptable and historic compatible development.
Frank R. Nero
Sanibel