Spring 2015 Arts & Culture Candidate Surveys: Glendale City Council District
Candidate order: Paula Devine, Edith Fuentes, Vartan Gharpetian, Chahe Keuroghelian, Evelyne Poghosyan, Erik Yesayan, Dave Weaver
As part of its work to connect voters and candidates, Arts for LA presents these Arts & Culture Candidate Surveys to promote dialogue around issues related to arts education and its benefits.
Survey responses provided by each candidate are for voter information purposes only. Arts for LA does not endorse candidates seeking office. We are committed to fostering respectful, nonpartisan dialogue about issues relating to arts and culture. For more information, please read about our mission and values or our FAQ.
All eligible candidates were contacted to participate in the survey. If you would like to submit new or revise existing responses, please contact Cristina Pacheco at [email protected] or 213-225-7580.
Voting for Glendale City Council District will be held on Tuesday, April 7.
2 seats are available in this election.
For more information on where to vote, visit the Los Angeles County Clerk/Registrar-Recorder’s Office website.
Question 1: What was the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up?
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My most meaningful arts and culture experience growing up was being a member of our "folk dance" group, both in elementary and high school. The cultural dances we presented told so much history and many stories behind each one of them. I enjoyed them a lot. In high school, I joined our Glee Club Choir and participated in different arts and photography competitions among schools.
My father was a very talented carpenter. When I was a child I really didn't realize how artistic and difficult his job was until I turned 13 years old and he taught me how to make my first wooden scooter. It was then when I started appreciating his woodwork and his talent as a master carpenter. My father passed away when I was in my 20's, and I still remember the beautiful furniture pieces which we made together and our family cherished them for many years. In my adult life, I have incorporated art into my life by collecting historic artifacts and memorabilia. I enjoy going to art and antique shows with my kids.
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I played in the Nutcracker when I was in grade school. It was the first and only major theatre performance I was ever part of. I learned so much about what it means to be a performer as part of a full scale production. The play was performed at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. In high school, I organized a mural project at my kindergarten playground at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School as part of my Eagle Scout community project. It was the first actual art project that I led. The whole experience was very rewarding experience for me. I learned the value of having great public art to beautify it surrounding environment.
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Question 2: What do you believe the role of City Council should be in the development and support of the region's cultural infrastructure?
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The City Council should be a strong advocate, if not one of the leading agencies, in the development of the region's cultural infrastructure. I am all for bringing about Awareness, Advocacy and Action for the region's cultural infrastructure!
Glendale has a unique opportunity to become an arts and cultural hub in Southern California using its historic resources in more efficient way such as Alex Theater and Civic Auditorium. The value of art in our daily lives is something that we all take for granted. The City Council should do anything in its power to support and strengthen the arts and cultural infrastructure and work strongly towards encouraging and helping local cultural organizations and artists. I am not sure who wrote this quote, but it is one of my favorite ones: 'The Earth without 'art' is just 'eh.'
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There are many studies that show an investment in arts has a huge return in economic value. People are drawn to art because it can make you appreciate life more. The City Council can direct investments in art galleries, museums, street murals, and festivals. All of these things can benefit the city because it would make a more enriching place to live and visit.
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Question 3: How would you champion modifications to, or expansion of, the city's current funding stream for local arts and culture?
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I will fight to make sure we set aside some funding for local arts and culture. This may take looking at what funding we used to have, what we have now, and what we can do to improve and increase the funds: such as collaborations with other organizations, partnership with big corporations or firms, community input and support and fees from development applications.
We need to support and allow our local cultural organizations and artists by allocating more funds for arts and culture. We have a beautiful culturally rich community and it is extremely vital for our residents and our new generation to be exposed to different traditions and cultures. It would be great to work with our school district to have our young generation be more involved in arts and cultural events. I would love for our city to organize a Talent Show showcasing the talents of our residents.
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With the dissolution of the redevelopment agency, it is paramount that we find ways to fund arts programming. I support the passage of Measure O which would levy a marginal tax on hotel visitors in order to pay for things like arts programming. I also support the continuation of a 1% tax (and possibly more) on new developments to fund activities and projects related to the arts.
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Question 4: What three things would you do to deepen the city's investment in its creative economy (cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit)?
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AWARENESS - make sure everyone is on board and well-educated of the importance of creative economy. Educate! ADVOCACY - the City should set an example and be a role model - what we ask of others, we should be able to do ourselves. Advocate via examples. ACTION - reach out to the community. Get people involved so they take pride and ownership of the success!
As a council member, I would invest in projects which would generate revenues for the city, by giving incentives to businesses with high paying jobs to move to Glendale. I believe our city should do a lot more outreach to our local artists. Annual or semiannual arts and cultural shows is a great way of involving local artists and encouraging our residents specially children and youth to appreciate art more.
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1. Increase opportunities and incentives for the creation of new museums, art galleries, special art exhibits, and art festivals in Glendale. 2. Centralize arts programming with the Glendale Arts and continue to promote the Alex Theatre as a world class performing art and entertainment center. 3. Create incubation centers for emerging artists to collaborate on new ventures and projects.
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