Supporting the arts is critical

Generally, commitment to the arts strengthens when our children participate, but dwindles after that. Those interested in the arts might think nothing of traveling to San Francisco for the opera, museums, galleries or the ballet because they are high level, but wouldn’t think to head to a local performance because the quality may not be as good.

However, the local quality can be quite good; and, besides, every professional was once an amateur. There are other factors to consider as well. The cost is lower, the convenience is higher and you can support those in your own community who choose a creative life. It is enriching for all involved.

In 2020, we saw the closure of Broadway By the Bay after it lost its main venue at Redwood City’s Fox Theatre. COVID also played a part. Broadway By the Bay has a long legacy rooted on the Peninsula since 1963. In 2022, we lost the small venue 65-seat Dragon Theatre in downtown Redwood City that was a lively hub of community arts and productions.

Now we have lost Peninsula Lively Arts, which has been with our community for 60 years. It is a big loss. The company found its way in a former Circuit City in a San Mateo strip mall now slated for redevelopment. There appeared to be an early commitment from the developer to provide space for it, however, it was said to be too small and it appears the commitment may have vanished. New rules for development also mean there is less room for engagement by city officials to require a community benefit. That could also mean that other developers may not commit to other community benefits, even something so simple as a grocery store, and that means a mechanism has been taken away to ensure those making money by providing new construction also provide something additional for the impact. No judgment in this space right now, but it is the reality of the situation.

This means, of course, that the community needs to find other ways to provide those benefits, and since we are talking about art, we should talk about art. We have art impact fees from development and they typically go toward random public art that, in my opinion, is entirely too costly for the value they create in many instances. That money could go instead to local performing arts organizations, perhaps in exchange for a free public performance in a city venue or at a street festival.

The easiest (and most fun) way to support local organizations is to attend a show. We are fortunate to have Pied Piper Players in Burlingame, San Carlos Children’s Theater and the Bay Area Educational Theater Company, also in San Carlos. These shows are focused on children, but are professional and professional level companies with dedicated staff and volunteers putting on marvelous shows. The tickets are reasonable and the show variety is solid. The Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory in Foster City also has professional actors, singers and dancers mixed with community members. Its shows are very professional and quite good. And don’t forget Coastal Repertory Theatre, with its intimate venue and lively shows.

And despite Peninsula Lively Arts’ pending closure, there are still two companies on the Peninsula, Ayako School of Ballet and Oceanica Ballet, that put on performances. For music, there is Music at Kohl Mansion, Masterworks Chorale, the Peninsula Musical Arts Association, the Redwood Symphony, the California Pops Orchestra, the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra, Music@Menlo and the Peninsula Youth Orchestra. The Spindrift School of Performing Arts is combination of musical theater, dance and drama.

For venues, we have Filoli at times, the Guild, the Fox Theatre, the Little Fox, the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Miramar Beach, the 1,540-seat San Mateo Performing Arts Center at San Mateo High School, the 938-seat Samuel Johnson Jr. Performing Arts Center at Capuchino High School, and all the other school theaters such as the 600-seat space at Bayside Academy in San Mateo and the 400-seat College of San Mateo theater. Many of these school theaters are state-of-the-art and there you can also see some pretty amazing student performances as well.

For art, there is San Carlos’ Art Bias, the Coastal Arts League, the Center for Creativity, Fuse Theatre, Dragonfly Community Arts and plenty of galleries as well with top-notch work. See some of our local coverage for more information about shows.

Opportunities abound for us to take in art locally, and though I am sure I missed a few, there are also plenty of organizations doing great work who could use the support. And in doing so, you can also enrich your own life and the lives of others while ensuring our local art culture not only remains but thrives.