RE:vitalization | Uptown Long Beach 2018
OVERVIEW
"After Years of Decline, a California Port City Sheds Its Past". The New York Times interviewed Long Beach city leaders in April to discuss the $3.5 billion worth of construction projects, planned in preparation for the city’s growing population, its duty as host to the 2028 Olympics, and also in an expansive effort to eradicate the city’s formerly dangerous reputation. "There were many attractive Art Deco buildings, but derelict,” Mr. Richard Talbot (a market researcher who was hired in 2002 to help create a revitalization plan) recalled in the Times piece. “Business-people didn’t want to go downtown. There was homelessness. There were drug deals on many corners.” Today, that landscape is changing—not only downtown, but across the city. While the news of Downtown’s massive projects is certainly headline-worthy, little is mentioned in the press of Long Beach’s Uptown Renaissance.
The “Uptown Renaissance” refers to an initiative developed by the Uptown Business District of North Long Beach, in partnership with council members like Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, and serves roughly 140 local businesses and 100,000 District 8 and 9 residents. The initiative has seen the development of new community events and projects in recent years, including the Uptown Jazz Festival, the Michelle Obama Public Neighborhood Library (and confirmed social hot spot), the Houghton Park Farmer’s Market and Community Center refurbishment, the massive Jordan High School expansion, and more to come. Richardson, who also serves as Council member for District 9, sets an optimistic tone for the socioeconomic development in the area. “We have a story of transformation here...Our neighborhood associations have shown transformative leadership, and it's working”, Richardson told the Long Beach Gazette in January. “Now we're ready to start seeing the fruits of our labors... We've been talking about the Uptown Renaissance, now we're seeing it”.
Missing from the recent dialogue (as reported by local and national press) seems to be the community reaction to the changes taking place in North Long Beach. To be sure, city council meetings and local neighborhood associations capture glimpses of public sentiment surrounding the growth, and most are overwhelmingly positive. At the monthly “PopUp Social” events held at the Obama Library on Atlantic Ave., Uptown natives have had the opportunity to communicate with community leaders about the development projects—however, the conversation has ranged from general sentiment to suggestions for the types of businesses needed nearby. No doubt these are the building blocks of the new Uptown, and these voices need to be heard. The means by which locals might express themselves, however, could be broadened to include a more artistic approach—and perhaps, in doing so, ignite a different type of “Renaissance” in Uptown.
It is with this purpose in mind that I propose an open-call art exhibition to amplify the voices of Long Beach residents in the context of the “revitalization” of the city, and more specifically, the territories north of Del Amo Blvd. and west of Cherry Ave. In prompting the community to express their reactions, ideas and history artistically, we might uncover a more colorful and cultured aesthetic among North Long Beach residents that is lacking in the current dialogue surrounding the city’s growth, urbanization, and artistic identity.
GOALS
SPECIFICATIONS
In order to meet the goals of the exhibit as listed above, certain submission requirements would may be beneficial to enact. Other logistical requirements or limitations may vary as determined with the location venue. Call-for-Artists specifications may include:
CONSIDERATIONS
VENUE
In alignment with the goals of promoting North Long Beach as a center for socioeconomic growth and artistic expression, it would be my great desire to secure a venue located in North Long Beach in which to hold the exhibit. In this regard, I would like to work with the Uptown Business District, District 8 and 9 leadership, and the Arts Council for Long Beach to determine the most appropriate method and means of procuring a location.
FUNDING
As this exhibit supports causes and initiatives in the interest of organizations such as the Uptown Business District, District 8 and 9 community development, the Arts Council for Long Beach among others, it is my hope that we can work together to dedicate/raise funds to cover the costs of venue rental (if necessary—a publicly owned space may hopefully be an option), opening reception, and any additional expenses. Labor may be acquired on a volunteer basis, or may be factored into the funding needs as organizers see fit.
PRESS
To further goals of community outreach and public recognition of the Uptown Renaissance, developing interest via local press would be an ideal means of expanding the reach of the exhibition. While I have professional experience and contacts to assist in this matter, it would be beneficial to work with local organizations to communicate outwardly about the exhibit as well.
"After Years of Decline, a California Port City Sheds Its Past". The New York Times interviewed Long Beach city leaders in April to discuss the $3.5 billion worth of construction projects, planned in preparation for the city’s growing population, its duty as host to the 2028 Olympics, and also in an expansive effort to eradicate the city’s formerly dangerous reputation. "There were many attractive Art Deco buildings, but derelict,” Mr. Richard Talbot (a market researcher who was hired in 2002 to help create a revitalization plan) recalled in the Times piece. “Business-people didn’t want to go downtown. There was homelessness. There were drug deals on many corners.” Today, that landscape is changing—not only downtown, but across the city. While the news of Downtown’s massive projects is certainly headline-worthy, little is mentioned in the press of Long Beach’s Uptown Renaissance.
The “Uptown Renaissance” refers to an initiative developed by the Uptown Business District of North Long Beach, in partnership with council members like Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, and serves roughly 140 local businesses and 100,000 District 8 and 9 residents. The initiative has seen the development of new community events and projects in recent years, including the Uptown Jazz Festival, the Michelle Obama Public Neighborhood Library (and confirmed social hot spot), the Houghton Park Farmer’s Market and Community Center refurbishment, the massive Jordan High School expansion, and more to come. Richardson, who also serves as Council member for District 9, sets an optimistic tone for the socioeconomic development in the area. “We have a story of transformation here...Our neighborhood associations have shown transformative leadership, and it's working”, Richardson told the Long Beach Gazette in January. “Now we're ready to start seeing the fruits of our labors... We've been talking about the Uptown Renaissance, now we're seeing it”.
Missing from the recent dialogue (as reported by local and national press) seems to be the community reaction to the changes taking place in North Long Beach. To be sure, city council meetings and local neighborhood associations capture glimpses of public sentiment surrounding the growth, and most are overwhelmingly positive. At the monthly “PopUp Social” events held at the Obama Library on Atlantic Ave., Uptown natives have had the opportunity to communicate with community leaders about the development projects—however, the conversation has ranged from general sentiment to suggestions for the types of businesses needed nearby. No doubt these are the building blocks of the new Uptown, and these voices need to be heard. The means by which locals might express themselves, however, could be broadened to include a more artistic approach—and perhaps, in doing so, ignite a different type of “Renaissance” in Uptown.
It is with this purpose in mind that I propose an open-call art exhibition to amplify the voices of Long Beach residents in the context of the “revitalization” of the city, and more specifically, the territories north of Del Amo Blvd. and west of Cherry Ave. In prompting the community to express their reactions, ideas and history artistically, we might uncover a more colorful and cultured aesthetic among North Long Beach residents that is lacking in the current dialogue surrounding the city’s growth, urbanization, and artistic identity.
GOALS
- Invoke community conversations surrounding the history and current state of growth in Long Beach, specifically the Uptown/North region.
- Nurture the unique aesthetic of North Long Beach artists by encouraging their works to be at the forefront of a new chapter in the history of the area.
- Encourage public visibility and attract visitation and economic development to the North Long Beach area in alignment with the Uptown Renaissance movement.
- Amplify the growing sense of pride, community and creative expression of Uptown residents.
- Highlight remarkable artists developing a (pre-)professional practice in North Long Beach.
SPECIFICATIONS
In order to meet the goals of the exhibit as listed above, certain submission requirements would may be beneficial to enact. Other logistical requirements or limitations may vary as determined with the location venue. Call-for-Artists specifications may include:
- Artists must be 18+ years old and based in Long Beach (more desirably the Uptown area), or have previously lived in the Long Beach area. Must be able to provide verification as needed.
- Artists must fill out a short-answer response to a thematic prompt, such as a condensed version of the overview above. Artists must submit a short bio and/or CV as well.
- It is recommended that artists submit a link to a portfolio, or attach images of previous work, whether or not the works are related to the planned exhibition theme.
- Artists must submit high-quality images of the work desired to submit for the exhibition. Limit on number of works allowed to submit is up for determination by the selection panel.
- Artists may potentially sell work, and must consent to pre-established exhibition fees as determined by the curatorial staff.
CONSIDERATIONS
VENUE
In alignment with the goals of promoting North Long Beach as a center for socioeconomic growth and artistic expression, it would be my great desire to secure a venue located in North Long Beach in which to hold the exhibit. In this regard, I would like to work with the Uptown Business District, District 8 and 9 leadership, and the Arts Council for Long Beach to determine the most appropriate method and means of procuring a location.
FUNDING
As this exhibit supports causes and initiatives in the interest of organizations such as the Uptown Business District, District 8 and 9 community development, the Arts Council for Long Beach among others, it is my hope that we can work together to dedicate/raise funds to cover the costs of venue rental (if necessary—a publicly owned space may hopefully be an option), opening reception, and any additional expenses. Labor may be acquired on a volunteer basis, or may be factored into the funding needs as organizers see fit.
PRESS
To further goals of community outreach and public recognition of the Uptown Renaissance, developing interest via local press would be an ideal means of expanding the reach of the exhibition. While I have professional experience and contacts to assist in this matter, it would be beneficial to work with local organizations to communicate outwardly about the exhibit as well.
