“Surviving Cultural Change”

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Diane Ragsdale, Associate Program Officer at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, delivered a speech titled "Surviving Cultural Change" in New York City in October that contains many good ideas for arts nonprofits to consider during an economic downturn. Here is an excerpt that I especially liked:

As many of you probably know, the Slow Food Movement grew up in opposition to the Fast Food Industry. It encourages people to focus, to attend to, the experience of eating-it reminds people of the pleasure and satisfaction that comes with savoring well-made locally-grown food, appreciating the place it came from and the farmers and artisans that grew and prepared it, and enjoying the company of the people with whom you're dining. In other words, the Slow Food Movement has given people a reason to make time for eating.

And this movement, along with cooking shows, has had a powerful influence on our culture. Plenty of Boomers who have no time for [attending arts events] are spending hours shopping at their local farmers market and chopping in their well-equipped kitchens, so they can enjoy gourmet feasts with their friends and families.

I wonder: What would a major Slow Arts Movement look like?

Download a pdf of Diane's entire speech here.

-Heath Marlow, CMW staff