The city has received a grant for that purpose
By LUIS PUGA
Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN
A coalition of state, county, and municipal agencies hopes to survey the city's artistic and cultural landscape and improve upon it.
The state Council on the Arts has provided $45,000 to the city, the Camden County Cultural and Heritage Commission, and the South Jersey Performing Arts Center to create a city cultural plan, officials announced at a press conference Wednesday.
"It's really silly to talk about rebuilding a community without arts and culture," said Randy Primas, the city's chief operating officer, who spoke at city hall chambers.
The funds have been used to hire Patricia Reid-Merritt, of Reid-Merritt and Associates, who will conduct a survey of cultural activities and host public forums to design the plan.
"We want you to leave here with one slogan in mind: In Camden, culture counts," she said.
After surveying cultural activities in the city, Reid-Merritt said, "The second part will be forming what vision we have for culture in Camden."
She is hoping to hold a citywide summit on culture by Dec. 30.
Freeholder Riletta Cream said the advantage of the plan will be to keep cultural activities consistent.
"We won't all be going in different tangents," she said.
Before Wednesday's event, Nasir Dickerson and others from the Institute for the Development of Education in the Arts played the tenor saxophone.
For residents waiting at the Walter Rand Transportation Center, the plan was a welcome addition to the city's rebirth.
"Anything that makes the city better is good," said Maribel Rondon, a Cramer Hill resident. "We need more information on where to find (cultural activities)."
With Nat King Cole singing through his headphones, Eugene Darden of South Camden said he loves the free jazz shows at the New Jersey State Aquarium. "They do a pretty good job," he said. "I hope they keep doing it."
Handing out fliers for youth night at his church, Sean Brown, a downtown resident, said other priorities need to be considered.
"I think anything that brings out the talent of residents and gives hope to the city is good," he said. "But, the city needs education, and while some people are interested in the arts, some can't even read or write and need better jobs."