can anyone post an example of indie art? i've always thought all art was indie in itself.

i think maybe it's time i quit doing artwork.

Hi Donewaiting people,

Here's the thing, whether you love or hate the IAC movement, the movement has proven to have real legs and the ability to attract real funding (as in BILLIONS of dollars) to the artists and creative people in our city. Funding in the area of arts, art space, artist housing, music and entrepreneurship is being discussed on an on-going basis and has been a continuing focal point of conversation (after Streetcars) from the Mayor's office. Currently I serve on several committees appointed by the Mayor to develop these strategies and initiatives.

The Mayor's office and Council look to promote, strengthen and support our growing arts scene.

Let's face it, Columbus does not have the usual attractions of other big cities. We don't have the beaches or oceans or major league sports teams but we do have a thriving creative sector thanks in part to the affordability, opportunities, and liveablity of Columbus. The City wishes to hang its hat on this fact and attract and retain more people downtown thanks to it.

The IAC movement has caught the attention of the 2012 Commission which has been appointed by the Mayor's office to allocate funding for the 2012 Bond Package that will be released over the next four years.

The 2012 Bond Package contains BILLIONS of dollars in federal funding that the City can use towards arts, public transportation, entreprenueurship and other forms of economic and cultural growth and development.

There is a community meeting for all people wishing to give input on the 2012 Bond money to be held on January 29 at the Columbus Convention Center.

I believe our arts scene has the ability to gain access to these funds if positive and civic-minded people step forward and make reasonable requests to fund their project. If the movement remains positive, inclusive, and civic-minded, I firmly believe that Columbus can and will explode in the coming years and is capable of becoming and being the vision that the IAC purports.

You can hate the name, hate the creators of it, hate the Short North, hate Junctionview, hate whatever, but this is an actual opportunity to get behind real funding and influence to promote and support our collective artistic and entreprenuerial spirit.

Have some civic pride, Columbus. There is, in fact, a REAL opportunity here. You can get behind something that can and will benefit you or sit back and watch some developer get the funds to build his/her dream highway project. There is an opportunity here.

Elizabeth Lessner
2012 Commissioner