The Arts Democratic Club was pleased to co-sponsor the Arts Forum for Mayoral Candidates. The forum was held on Monday, September 29 2003, at 5 pm. in the Green Room of the War Memorial Building on Van Ness. Over 500 people attended this standing room only event. The candidates were all well spoken, although some were clearly more versed in arts issues and problems than others. We urge all those who attended to share their impressions with others and to broaden this valuable culture-politics discussion. The issues are far too important to ignore. Also, please ask all your friends if they are registered to vote, and consider joining one of the many arts happenings and events on behalf of candidates in the next month. It is all about people power!
The Arts Democratic Club asked the candidates to respond to eight questions about the arts and cultural sector in San Francisco. Click on the name of the candidate to see their positions.
Angela Alioto
Tom Ammiano
Susan Leal
Gavin Newsom
Matt Gonzalez (no response)
Absentee ballots have been sent out.
Voting is now available at City Hall.
Election Day: Go to your polling place.
www.angela4mayor.com
www.ammianoformayor.com/en/
www.susanleal.com
www.gavinnewsom.com
www.mattgonzalez.com
Arts Democratic Club Questionnaire 2003: Mayoral
1. What will you do to make the Arts a top priority of your administration? Please name your specific initiatives.
2. What will you do to make SF a leading city in North America for cultural tourism?
3. What will you do to increase the percentage of funding for multicultural arts organizations, to more accurately reflect the City's diverse populations?
4. What actions will you take to increase overall arts funding in the next four years, especially for small to mid-sized arts organizations?
5. What initiatives will you sponsor to increase the number of artists living and working in San Francisco?
6. As Mayor, what actions will you take to streamline the City's cultural offices and to increase both the accountability and effectiveness of these offices?
7. How will you use your position as Mayor to help art organizations secure state, national, and international opportunities? Please list specific opportunities.
8. What will you do to expand industrial arts and crafts in San Francisco in the next four years? Please list specific industry objectives.
Candidates: Please respond to the above set of 8 questions.
Return your questionnaire by September 5 to: malsi22@yahoo.com
Please be sure it is in MS Word, WordPerfect, or Adobe Acrobat format.
If you have any problems transmitting your responses, please call Andrew Brother Elk at 415-867-8101.