5 Arts Circle

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No, this has nothing to do with experiments taking place in the labs of the Phoenix Biomedical Campus nor ASU and Mayo's desire to build their own whiz-bang medical school along the 101. I just wanted to get your attention. Sneaky, aren't I?

But here's the idea and it does deal with our future... Each Member of Council should commit to find a person like Howard Hirsch to create an organization like the Arizona 5 Arts Circle to benefit the residents of their district over the long term.

Here's a gentleman – yes his name is Howard Hirsch – who migrated to Phoenix, like a lot of us did (and still do). He was on the back nine one day and the conversation with his golfing buddies got around to "what charities do you give to?" The reply went something like this: Milwaukee Symphony, Chicago Ballet, Saskatoon Folkfest.

Incredulous, Howard issued a challenge to ante up big bucks and create a 501-c-3 non-profit group to support five leading visual and performing arts organizations: Arizona Opera, Ballet Arizona, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Symphony, and the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts & Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. It now contributes significant dollars each year to these fine Arizona institutions.

Sooooo, what about 5 Arts Circle-like organizations formed and nurtured in each of our eight council districts? The primary goal: to increase private sector support for district-specific arts, culture, heritage, education, and open space initiatives.

Where's the mayor in all this? Well the current mayor was a point guard in basketball and knows all about handing off and helping the team. That would be his role here. Go Phoenix!