Councilmember

SEATS AVAILABLE: 2

Scott Kwong

City: San Marino City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up. 

Going to different countries with an open mind was definitely an experience for me when it came to learning about other cultures. The experience is difficult to put into words, but there is something about diving into a completely new environment different with food, language, and societal norms that makes me open to different ways of life. I have learned how to stop, take a breath, and live in the moment. I have also learned to value experience over material. Lastly, I learned that things do not always go as expected and so I just got to roll with it.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

Culture and society is always changing and San Marino is a very distinct community with both long time residents and new residents. We choose to live in San Marino because of its community and its schools. So we got a mix of culture in San Marino. I would like to see our students from our schools to do an art competition where the creation is left open to the student. They can paint, draw, chalk, construct, mold, etc. Completely open with no instructions and no limits to stop their mind.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

San Marino will continue to be a distinct community with modernized houses of similar size. I do not see San Marino with mansion sized houses everywhere. Instead, I see San Marino almost futuristic where technology plays a major role in the house. Houses will look more modern with some modern art sculpture in the front yard. Automated window tints, smart fire alarms, keyless entry, an abstract modern art paintings in the living room, and almost everything is touch based at home such as the dining table that recognizes what is placed on the table.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Going back to question 2, our recreation center, schools, and arguably a portion of city hall will have some of the arts displayed created by our students. Because we pride ourselves in our school system and so we should show it off to the world. I don’t consider myself an art person, but I can imagine that this no-rule art would allow different type of thinking and creativity to come out of these students.

Dennis Kneier

City: San Marino City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

In high school I was exposed to the arts and cultural experiences by my wonderful English teach, John Hanrahan (now deceased). He took the class to art galleries, concerts and ballet. It was through those experiences that led me to appreciate art and cultural activities. This has led to my wife and I having an extensive contemporary art collection, many artist friends, membership in the USC Pacific Asia Museum and volunteer work at The Huntington.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

I believe in starting at home … right here in San Marino. I was instrumental in having art donated to the City, some of which is hung in City Hall. I wish more of what came to us was used in our facilities, but it’s hard to get everyone on board in art appreciation. I was in charge of all fundraising for our Centennial Clock (a work of art in itself), our War Memorial (again, a work of art) and the Red Car Mural near City Hall. I am a proponent of public art.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

San Marino is already a wonderful community but my vision is for it to be even better Part of this includes more public art cultural activities at our Public Library the San Marino Center and the Old Mill I am mindful of Frank Lloyd Wright’s saying Invest wisely in beauty for it will last all your days I believe in that attitude personally as exemplified by our personal art collection I’m as strong a donor as I can at The Huntington to support its art and gardens.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

More publicity is needed to emphasize how much art and culture we have in LS County. We are NOT a cultural wasteland, by any means. Listen to KCRW’s weekly Art Talk with Edward Goldman. You’ll learn there is so very much going on in the art and cultural world right here in LA.