ArtsFairfax survey identifies artists’ needs

By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Advisory Council 

Fairfax County’s premier arts non-profit, ArtsFairfax, recently released the results from a large, county-wide survey of artists that explored the challenges and successes of the cultural environment.

The results align very closely with the findings from the Mason District arts roundtable this spring and last year’s Mason Arts Advisory Committee, both of which clearly demonstrated the needs of local artists. 

The recent unveiling of the Fairfax Regional Artist Survey results identified two striking needs (among others): more networking for artists and more space for artists to work, perform, and showcase their efforts.

Over 1,000 respondents from across the region responded to the survey, 4 percent of whom were from Annandale.

Networking was identified as a serious need by 56 percent of respondents, while 56 percent also have a real need for more space. Both the advisory committee and participants in the roundtable found similar needs rising to the forefront. 

Of the two most pressing needs, networking – through shared activities, social events, and professional development – is readily achievable by a group such as our Mason Arts Advisory Council.

Responding to that need, the council has sponsored one happy hour this spring, co-sponsored a social event with ArtsFairfax, and has plans for more events in the fall. All of these are open to the public for artists and their families and friends.

The council would like to pursue more opportunities in the near future to help artists connect and learn about the process of making art, share their work, and learn how to grow their practice.

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One big effort the council is pursuing is the Mason District Arts Festival on Oct. 11. While the primary goal of this event is to give artists a place to show their work in our community, the council also hopes to use the Art Festival to elevate the work of new and emerging artists and to provide a venue for a wide range of artistic approaches.

The festival will provide networking and connection opportunities for our local artists. It will also include a significant performance component. All of this is about creating a cultural community right here in Mason District.

Providing space, on the other hand, is a long-range challenge. Artists need studio space – that’s inexpensive, flexible, and nearby – to rehearse or grow their body of work.

Galleries and performance venues provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their work and meet the public. Classroom space is also critical to encourage new artists, help them reach a broader public, and provide new opportunities for artists to connect to one another.

It will take a combination of significant efforts to make more space available and affordable in the community.

Artists make significant contributions to the cultural and economic landscape of Fairfax County. Finding ways to use existing spaces for galleries and shows, blank walls for murals, creative ideas for studios and performances – all of these will be part of the solution.

We will also continue to encourage Fairfax County to evaluate zoning practices that limit the placement of arts facilities and that fail to capitalize on the incredible cultural resources that exist here in our community.

A lot of work – such as the excellent efforts by ArtsFairfax to quantify the needs – has already been done to support the arts, but many challenges remain.