Marco Island Arts Ordinance, Just a Few Clouds daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Just a Few Clouds

6x6, acrylic on canvas

$125, unframed

Today's Marco Island Eagle headlines with an article about the proposed Arts Ordinance for Marco Island. Proposed by the Arts Advisory Committee of the City, and now before the Marco Island Planning Board. The ordinance would require new commercial properties over 5000 sq.ft. or those renovating up to 50% to pay a small fee either to purchase art of their choosing and approved by the council, or to put the money into a fund for the purchase of art elsewhere in the City.

You've often heard me speak or read me here about the value of art to us as humans. Art in our community is very important. Art both helps to build community through shared experiences, so important on Marco since almost everyone comes from "somewhere else," and art helps to expand our minds as we contemplate the what, why, where and how of it.

Today, lets look at art from a business stand point. People want to live where there are art events and art opportunities. Communities having these amenities have an edge over those who do not. This means that every realtor on Marco Island should be in favor of this ordinance.

It's a fact that the Arts return dollar for dollar spent. Every dollar spent on the arts comes back to a community by helping to sustain business growth and provide business opportunities, as well as making a community a desirable place to live.

We're a community of permanent residents now. Lets provide for something beyond the beach!

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a member of the Arts Advisory Committee for the City. The committee advises the City Council on Arts affairs. This committee has been working for five years to produce an ordinance for the city. Now let's get it passed!