What’s happening?
In June, 2009 Mayor Kevin Johnson launched a regional arts initiative to raise the profile of Sacramento’s arts scene locally and nationally. During the first year  arts enthusiasts helped craft a vision and prioritized recommendations to establish Sacramento as a major metropolitan destination while strengthening the local community. The team produced a roadmap to to strengthen the region’s cultural infrastructure, improve access to arts and arts education and invest in talent and the creative economy.

In November, 2010 the Implementation Phase was launched. A coalition of organizations and individuals will advance the goals that emerged from the planning process. In the first year of implementation action teams and lead partner organizations will move forward on specific recommendations. The effort will build on existing resources and opportunities and engage the community in investing time and talent to make Sacramento arts a source of civic pride and community vitality.

Who is involved?
Garry Maisel and Don Roth are co-chairing the For Arts’ Sake Coalition, providing leadership and guidance to three Goal Teams which each have a set of Action Teams working to advance specific action areas. Michelle Alexander and her staff at the Arts & Business Council of Sacramento are actively managing For Arts’ Sake for Mayor Kevin Johnson, and coordinating the activities of the partners and action teams.  The Kennedy Center is partnering with two area school districts and the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission to pilot their Any Given Child program which provides arts experiences for students K-8.

How will this strengthen the arts in the Sacramento region?
The work of these committees and partners will strengthen arts in the region by finding ways to increase public and private funding; support artists; expand participation and access to the arts and most importantly put Sacramento on the map as a great place to experience art everyday everywhere.

What kind of arts is this about?
The creative sector in Sacramento is not just theatre, visual art, music and dance. It extends to film and video, literary arts, architectureand landscape, fashion and design, culinary arts, commercial arts, crafts, history, intermedia, and more 

What is the role of the Mayor’s Office in For Arts’ Sake?
The Mayor’s Office has a unique opportunity to convene, connect, align, coordinate, mobilize, leverage, and amplify the work of the arts community and other community leaders to fulfill the vision. The Project Manager and Project Coordinator organize the efforts of 9+ action teams, each of which has a work plan and concrete goals. The staff work with community partners to communicate and coordinate activities across the coalition.   For Arts’ Sake does not directly raise funds for projects, nor manage or run its own programs.

 What is unique about the initiative?
For Arts’ Sake is unique in focusing on strengthening the arts community across the region. The implementation model, housed in the Mayor’s Office, provides a way to amplify the successes and to sustain a dedicated focus on the arts at the highest levels.

What will happen in 2011?
Action teams have been organized to move goals forward. Projects are underway to strengthen public and private support, help arts & cultural spaces flourish, increase public participation, expand arts education resource, and help artists and arts organization to be successful.

 How can I get involved?
Become part of an Action Team. Staff our booth at Urban Hive on Second Saturdays. Participate in Art Beat, helping document our work. Stay informed on Facebook. Participate. Celebrate. Create!