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E. Perceptions of Success for Arts and Culture in San Marcos <br />The following information provides interviewee perspectives on what success looks like for arts and culture <br />in San Marcos and their recommendations for achieving success. <br />Views of success in arts and culture. Feedback from interviewees indicates that there are two key <br />contributing factors for success for arts and culture: community participation and financial support. <br />Community participation. Some interviewees indicated that community involvement and an inclusive arts <br />culture are leading factors for success. <br /> “Participation, how many eyes see it, how many people are going …. Pre-pandemic was <br />successful … Mermaid parade had a lot of attendance … huge student population … always <br />looking for a reason to celebrate. <br />Success is involvement and enthusiasm. Success should be measured if citizens and tourists <br />are both involved in something. <br /> Community supporting the arts. Well-funded events \[and\] well received events with high <br />turnout. Successful art events would be various types of arts being promoted. Events along <br />the river and outdoor spaces. <br /> … it’s about community engagement. Trying to generate the sort of art that will inspire both <br />university and local community alike to want to make the extra drive or stay late after work <br />to engage with what’s happening here. <br /> It hasn’t always been about monetary success, it’s about, ‘did you reach the audience that <br />you were intending to reach, and did you do your best putting forward whatever project you <br />were doing?’ It’s about the folks that did show up, were they reached, were they touched, <br />will they come back again, will they want to see other parts of the city? <br />Opportunities to experience arts and culture. Others commented on the availability of opportunities to <br />attend events as well as experience art throughout the city. <br /> Having the time and location and permission to explore and experiment. <br /> Ideal success is having a continuous opportunity for art to be seen, displayed, purchased, <br />etc., to as many people as possible including people of different <br />socio-economic backgrounds. <br /> Success means San Marcos is known as a go-to location at any weekend of the year. People <br />can come here and something is always happening. Employing artists every weekend. <br />“There is sustained, regular, consistent activity.” <br /> … where people go specifically for the culture. They’re artist communities. A community <br />that is really art-business centric. When I go to another town as a tourist, I expect to see art <br />and culture. <br /> We \[the City\] help facilitate the expression of all forms of art and make that easily accessible <br />to our public. We support them and provide platforms for the expression and consumption <br />of art. <br /> It contributes to the quality of life for all groups. Everyone benefits from a strong arts <br />culture. Not exclusive to the rich or the poor, the black or the white. <br /> “Getting out.” <br /> Having a packed show. <br />KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — SAN MARCOS ARTS MASTER PLAN 2022 APPENDIX E,PAGE 9 <br /> <br />