Arts commission releases survey focusing on cultural needs of the city

The Lodi Arts Commission came one step closer to addressing the arts needs of Lodi with the recent release of the arts and culture needs assessment report.

The six-month study, which was conducted from July to December 2003, aimed to document the strengths, weaknesses and general characteristics of Lodi's arts and cultural needs in order to help the commission plan for the next five years. The survey was conducted by the Lodi Arts Commission, in conjunction with the city's Division of Arts and Culture.

"I was very happy with the feedback we received," Hutchins Street Square director Tea Silvestre said. "We had a lot of criticisms and praise but it was helpful to know where we're going next and to get an honest view from the outside of what we should be doing for people."

Data was gathered through written surveys for the public, the school district and local agencies, public workshops, a focus group and profiling local arts resources. The Arts Commission measured community needs and interests of a diverse section of the Lodi population.

Although the survey did not generate enough data for it to be statistically significant, Silvestre said it did gauge the opinions of many groups that were not traditionally arts supporters.

Most Lodians shared the opinion that it is important to have arts opportunities available in Lodi, she said.

Some of the study's findings included:

• Strong demand for more and better marketing of existing arts programs.

• The need for additional cultural facilities, including additional classrooms and rehearsal studios, affordable performing and exhibition spaces.

• Local organizations need more support with funding, administration, marketing and other related infrastructure services.

• Residents expressed a desire for additional information on what is happening in Lodi.

The study will help the Arts Commission list in order of priority what needs to happen locally over the next five years, Silvestre said. Of these priorities, Silvestre emphasized the importance of helping other arts agencies in town become more self-sufficient so they can contribute more to the arts needs of the Lodi community.

Survey results

The community survey was one element that the Arts Commission used to gauge public opinion for the arts. The following are the results:

• 91 percent rated it important, very important or extremely important to have more arts and cultural opportunities offered in Lodi

• The three highest-ranked arts events are 1) children's art exhibits 2) ballet and 3) Broadway musical.

• The three lowest-ranked arts events are 1) readings and lectures 2) opera and 3) modern dance.

• About half would pay $20-$40 for a ticket to an arts performance/event in Lodi. A little more than one-third would pay $10-$20. Only 29 percent would pay more than $40 and 11 percent would pay more than $50. Only 5 percent would attend if it were free.

• 51 percent of Lodians attend an arts performance or event occasionally, 23 percent attend often and 13 percent attend rarely.

• Visual arts classes had the strongest interest for both adults and children.

• 45 percent of adults and children would like to participate in music, followed closely by the visual arts at 44 percent.

• Respondents clearly agreed with the overall need for cultural facilities.

• 24 percent of Lodians do not currently attend arts events or classes because they don't know what is available.

• A strong majority of respondents support public art. 69 percent consider having more public art available in Lodi to be important, very important or extremely important.

• Respondents clearly favor the use of some type of city funds for the arts -- most favor the use of general funds and a tourist tax for the arts. Only 4 percent said that city funds of any type should not be used to support the arts.