Laserfiche WebLink
B. Pre-Pandemic and Current Perceptions of the San Marcos Arts Market <br />Keen Independent asked interviewees about their perceptions of the arts market before the pandemic as <br />well as the current state of the San Marcos arts market. <br />Pre-pandemic state of the San Marcos arts market. The following provides information on interviewees’ <br />observations regarding the state of the San Marcos arts market before the COVID-19 pandemic. <br />Steady activity. A few interviewees commented on the vibrancy and occurrence of events in San Marcos. <br /> A very vibrant arts community for generations that ebbs and flows depending on the year. <br />People were figuring out how to give artists a place to show their art. <br /> “Pretty steady. Feels like there was always something going on …. Not exactly thriving <br />compared to a larger city.” <br /> Over the past few years, the arts have increased in some ways and decreased in others — <br />possibly due to several places that used to be live venues have closed, but there are still <br />some diehard arts locations in town. <br />Passionate arts community. Seeing San Marcos through murals. Putting it more in a public <br />space means a lot to San Marcos so it is accessible to everyone. <br /> Seemed like there were lots of different activities. There was some level of vibrancy but <br />could be better. <br /> Intertwined with historic preservation. <br /> “We have a rich group of artists here.” <br /> “This community is very appreciative of the arts.” <br />Lacking support and awareness. Other interviewees expressed that there was a need for support and <br />resources in order for the arts market to improve. <br /> Art initiatives were not well known and community was not well informed. <br /> Need a “safe place” for voices to be heard. <br /> People support each other, there’s grassroots movement, but the galleries have a hard time <br />making it. <br /> Diverse types of arts programs but seems like it was “hard to get your arms around” the <br />overall management of it. <br /> Not a lot of performing arts venues (plays, dance, spoken word). <br /> There were arts organizations closing before the pandemic. With the cost of rent, <br />vandalism, vomit on the sidewalk — a lot of businesses come and go. <br /> Arts programming (market) falls on private business owners. <br /> There is a lack of history and knowledge about succeeding in the arts. <br />“City government is keen to support the arts but doesn’t know what it looks like.” <br /> “A hard market for artists to be successful in …. On the music scene, we do not have a <br />community here who are willing to pay.” <br /> Events are organized by small nonprofits and community organizations, and we struggle. <br />Why have a master plan if you aren’t going to implement it and have to rely on volunteers <br />and nonprofits? City needs a budget line item for arts, not just grants. <br />KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — SAN MARCOS ARTS MASTER PLAN 2022 APPENDIX E,PAGE 3 <br /> <br />