By Kathy Wagner
Amy Andrieux and Daisy Rodriguez’s opinion article “To create safer neighborhoods, arts and culture are key” was published in the New York Daily Times on June 6, 2022. Given the relevancy of this article considering the times we’re living in right now, we’re highlighting its importance.
Proximity doesn’t breed contempt, it breeds familiarity, connection, and community. The well-known Margaret Mead quote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” is true both in the insular neighborly sense as well as in the outwardly community sense. Much of the positive change we’re seeing in our cities is driven by smaller organizations with “thoughtful, committed” people working together to flip the switch from negative to positive, often partnering with larger organizations but many times pushing ahead on their own. We highlight several examples where small and local organizations are partnering with larger institutions across the U.S. to make a difference.
In Philadelphia, Congreso de Latinos Unidos many years ago launched arts, culture, and STEM initiatives, partnering with local science museums and others including the Zoo, the Academy of Natural Sciences, Franklin Institute Science Museum, and Adventure Aquarium/Center for Aquatic Sciences. Those partnerships and others have promoted programs to improve economic and personal well-being in the community since 1977. In Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium works with community groups to revitalize the south branch of the Chicago River via the Folded Map Project, a local organization that raises awareness of the inequities between the north and south sides of the city. Nina Simon did groundbreaking work with her (then) small museum the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History when she invited disenfranchised community leaders in to create exhibits that they’d “own” and see themselves reflected in—ultimately leading to her founding of “Of, By, and For All”, a non-profit organization helping build this future by equipping civic and cultural organizations through tools, community, accountability, and coaching on radical inclusion.
These efforts to promote community connection bring neighbors together and make the unknown familiar – and safe. As prominent venues where people can gather, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and museums are ideal partners in the promotion of community connections. The educational, economic, health, and public safety benefits of accessible cultural venues are undeniable. Increasing the awareness of our institutions as community gathering places offering important social opportunities strengthens us, not only as businesses, but as central threads in the fabric of our communities.
