The Arts and Humanities, the Next Mayor, And the City of Kenosha…

A question and answer session with the Candidates for Mayor for the city of Kenosha.

“The arts are an industry that stimulates the economy in cities and towns across the country. A vibrant arts and culture industry helps local businesses thrive.”

~Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
From the Arts and Economic Prosperity III Report

ExposeKenosha.com, in collaboration with the Arts and Humanities Alliance of Kenosha (AHA! Kenosha), has contacted the candidates for Mayor of the city of Kenosha with a series of questions of vital importance for the artistic community and the renaissance of Kenosha.

Candidates include (in alphabetical order):
Scott Barter
Michael Bell
Keith Bosman
Everett Butler
Patrick Moran
Maria Perry

The so-called knowledge workers, or the “creative class.” Young, affluent, and highly educated, the creative class creates and maintains the infrastructures, systems, and content for the information age. These workers are involved in and committed to the arts, humanities and cultural endeavors and demand it in the cities in which they live. The knowledge workers or the “creative class” are key to a sustainable work force and long-range economic growth and development in thriving communities.

The following questions were submitted to them:

1. What are you going to do to foster the arts, artistic and cultural endeavors in our community?
2. The City utilizes CIP, TIF, CDBG funds and hotel/ motel tax fees to fund City projects. How would you be willing to use these resources to enhance the artistic community and support the creative class?
3. How would you work with the private sector to fund public arts endeavors, i.e. sculptures in City Parks?
4. How would you welcome the creative class in our community?
5. How do you keep young professionals living, working and spending money in our community?
6. Tourism is one of the top three industries in the state of Wisconsin. What are you going to do to encourage and support the economic class in Kenosha?

We are preparing a special issue dedicated to present their answers.

ExposeKenosha or AHA! Kenosha does not endorse or support political candidates. Our goal is to make sure that the new mayor understands just how important the arts and humanities are to the community of Kenosha, and give them an equal opportunity to express their views