Artists of Sonoma

Mar 26th Creative Sonoma – A Strong Identity

There is a great description of Sonoma’s cultural identity, in the  “Creative Sonoma Arts Action Plan” written by the Sonoma County, Economic Development Board. I like the premise of the Action Plan so much:

Creative Sonoma starts from the point of view that arts and culture are among a community’s most powerful assets.”

I especially like their “Findings” on the Sonoma Arts Culture. According to the “Creative Sonoma Arts Action Plan”, the art of Sonoma County is strongly associated with the beauty of our landscape, our wineries and agricultural heritage:

Sonoma County has a broad, shared sense of its cultural identity. Stakeholders express a clear sense of the county’s cultural identity and broader quality of life. Theirs is an expansive definition of culture and creativity, including art forms (e.g., visual art, music, theater) as well as participatory arts experiences, ethnic cultures, and contemporary artistry expressed through technology. Culture in Sonoma County encompasses a strongly independent and entrepreneurial spirit, especially among younger people. There is an emphasis on self-reliance, DIY (do-it-yourself) and an inclusive definition of creativity, such as non-arts expressions of creativity through technological and conceptual invention. Creativity spans those participating in the alternative Burning Man Festival to “maker fairs.”

Sonoma County’s distinct character goes beyond arts and creativity to the beauty of the landscape, the agricultural heritage along with its current vital resurgence, and of course the world-renowned wine industry. There is a value placed on a more casual way of life than neighboring Napa and Marin counties. Stakeholders share a pride in the county’s existing arts and cultural assets, such as its museums, performing arts venues, art galleries, artist communities, the SOFA district, outdoor sculpture collections, community arts centers, festivals, and events, among many others. At the same time, some express a desire to elevate the level of artistic quality and interest, in part in recognition of the standards set by San Francisco and the Bay area. There is a strong but less publically visible collection of ethnically specific cultural communities and artists, including a large and diverse Hispanic population.”

To read more go to: “Creative Sonoma Arts Action Plan“, June 2014.