Carnegie Art Cornerstones is committed to promote creativity, learning and growth in the careers of artists, and to inspire passion and appreciation for arts and culture in Oxnard and Southern California.
An Update on Our Progress
The representatives of the Carnegie Art Cornerstones board, as part of and along with the Save Oxnard’s Art committee, have been working diligently during these post-election months to meet with the new mayor and council members. Our purpose is to familiarize them with the educational, cultural and financial benefits of the Permanent Collection being available to the community, and to share a proposal for collaboratively moving forward on this.
The mayor, who is very interested in revitalizing downtown Oxnard, and several council members have been open and receptive to hearing what we have shared. We are currently working on arrangements for them to view what is in the Collection so they will have a concrete sense of what is there. Your input in our surveys has confirmed the community’s desire to have the museum reopen and have the collection available to the public. We see the Carnegie Art Museum as a fine arts museum that utilizes that art to support the multicultural aspects of the community. Utilizing the Permanent Collection and rotating visiting exhibits, the museum can again be an educational resource to local schools and colleges, provide art classes and free hands-on art creation events for families, host cultural celebrations, and support emerging artists. Our Recommendation to the Mayor
The Save Oxnard’s Art committee has asked the city to hire a consultant experienced in art museums and fundraising to identify sources of grants and evaluate options for reopening and ongoing operation. The selection of this consultant would be done by a committee that includes representatives from the SOA committee and the Carnegie Art Cornerstones along with appropriate community members. Those representatives would also work collaboratively with the consultant and city staff, serving as institutional memory and a voice of the community.
The committee has also asked for a report on the current contract that was previously issued to evaluate the collection.
In the coming months we will be giving presentations to a wide spectrum of community organizations, educating and garnering support for this collaborative approach. There is power in numbers. Please send us any contact info for your organization if you think we should be presenting to them. |
A Message from your Carnegie Art Cornerstones Board
The time for action is now! Be informed. In light of the City’s proposal to not reopen the Carnegie as a museum, the Carnegie Art Cornerstones Board would like to share some information that raises essential questions about the role of the Carnegie Art Museum and the Permanent Collection in the community. We have significant concerns about the effects of a permanent closure as a museum and the deaccession (selling) of the Permanent Collection on artists, students of all ages, and the community at large, financially, educationally and culturally.
Other Helpful Information:
What of the Carnegie? City officials, art lovers and community continue to grapple over the future of Oxnard's cultural institution
Please help us continue this support of artist events!
You can send your contribution by check to: Carnegie Art Cornerstones PO Box 567 Oxnard, CA 93032 Or donate on-line here: |