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| Christopher McMahan/Randall Rosenbaum: Arts can Help Rhode Island Recover
It’s time to acknowledge the true value of our creative businesses, and make it an economic priority to help young arts entrepreneurs start new businesses, to help established companies discover new markets and to support projects that create jobs and income, revitalize downtowns and draw visitors to our communities.Innovation Defines Next American Century; Arts Critical
The competitive innovations that will define the next American epoch will be aided by the insights and instincts the Arts contribute in our schools and in our marketplaces. In Rhode Island, the artistic disciplines will be central to the innovative learning, thinking and doing we will require for educational, social and economic progress. As with Samuel Slater’s mill design which sparked New England’s rapid industrial growth some two hundred years ago, so it will be with the creative thinkers in our schools today, in our research and development, and in our cultural communications. Rhode Island’s investment in the Arts as a catalyst for innovation will be critical to compete in an increasingly challenging world. Christopher McMahan, Chairman - Rhode Island State Council on the Arts http://www.arts.ri.gov/pdf_files/fy06_report.pdf David N. Cicilline, Letitia Carter and Christopher McMahan: Let’s make auditorium ‘lit’ more often than dark’ "...These changes to the physical fabric of VMA and its surroundings constitute an important beginning for one requirement for VMA to realize its purpose as a great community resource. But along with further renovation of the building, there should be ownership and management of VMA that is dedicated to cooperation with and support of local arts organizations and to an entrepreneurial spirit that will bring to our community the best in national and international touring."Transforming Providence Scheduled for November 4; RI Architects Respond to Critic's Challenge
In June 1998 Providence Journal arts writer Bill Van Siclen wrote a column, accusing the local architectural community of being "missing in action" and observed that Providence's "renaissance" was reshaping itself with almost no organized participation from local architects. He challenged local architecture schools and members of AIA/Rhode Island to pay more attention to their capital city and to "beef up" their outreach and education efforts. "The conference will challenge local assumptions about our architectural and cultural heritage as we contemplate new buildings and spaces next to old," said Christopher McMahan of Robinson Green Beretta, chairman of the conference steering committee. "We hope to spark a dialogue between the architectural community and interested citizens to encourage new buildings and spaces of the highest artistic quality and to build support for progressive, risk-taking new design. Collectively, new development has reached a par with historical architecture and landscape in defining the visual character of Providence's built environment. Through the conference we hope to identify a vision for the future evolution of Providence's unique character during a period of tremendous growth and change." PPS President’s Award -2003
The Providence Preservation Society’s President’s Award honors an individual who has contributed significantly to the Society’s endeavors over an extended period of time. In recognition of his efforts on behalf of both the Providence Preservation Society and the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, the President’s Award this year goes to the chairman of the steering committee of the PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture, Christopher (Kip) McMahan. Immediately upon joining the PPS board in 2002, Kip embarked on a major undertaking – the largest publishing effort PPS has ever undertaken. He brought together a group of individuals as a steering committee who would set a high standard in terms of content and design, to produce a book worthy of its sponsors. And he guided the process carefully from beginning to end. It is no understatement to say that this project would not have been possible without his participation. His hard work and dedication have resulted in a permanent record of our most treasured resources, which will help to educate visitors and residents alike for many years to come. | |
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