When the phrase "creative city" is brought up in conversation, Phoenix is rarely compared to the arts communities of San Francisco and New York.
As part of the second annual Phoenix Urban Design Week, Phoenix cultural figures discussed the cultural identity of the city in a lecture called "Defining Place: Arts and the Identity of downtown Phoenix" on Wednesday night. The event was presented by the Downtown Devil and the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning.
The discussion panel featured of four of the strongest advocates for Phoenix culture: Will Bruder of Will Bruder Architects; Charlie Levy, founder of Stateside Presents and the Crescent Ballroom; Robrt Pela of the Phoenix New Times and Kim Larkin, operations director of Urban Affair, a downtown marketing and promotions company. The panel addressed questions regarding cultural movements in Phoenix.
The defining moment in the discussion came with the argument that there is still a pessimism that exists when thinking about Phoenix as a growing, vibrant city with a wonderful arts culture.
Pela, who confessed he has been pessimistic towards Phoenix, said he had a renewed sense of confidence in the city's future, even when one of the strongest advocates for the creative force in Phoenix, architect Taz Loomans, left for Portland, Ore. Pela believes that the people of Phoenix need to be more optimistic and consistent in saying that Phoenix does have a unique identity.
"Manhattan doesn't go around saying they wish they were more like Paris," he said. "Every creative city has (its) own special identity."
Another popular topic discussed was the notion that Phoenix is in dire need of a "re-branding." The panel agreed that in the past and even today, Phoenix sells itself on saying that it's a beautiful place to retire, noting the blossoming art and food culture. But what about all the younger residents?
"How many students from ASU actually want to live in Phoenix or Tempe after graduation?" Pela said.
It's true that many graduates plan on moving to other cities, which could be a cause for the plateau of the cultural identity in Phoenix.
The panel said the younger generations in Phoenix have created a sense of disillusionment to the large cultural city.
The panel advocated for the responsibility of the people of Phoenix to overcome impatience and to actually do something to help build this city.
"We all, the whole city, must keep showing up to try to make a difference," Bruder said.
Although we must be supportive, we still must hold the city to high standards if we are to define the identity of Phoenix, the panel said.
"There is a difference between having standards and standardizing things," Larkin said. "We need to push and raise our standards in order to become a great city."
The panel noted that over the years, cultural construction such as the Grand Avenue District, Roosevelt Row and the Crescent Ballroom have inspired the people of Phoenix to believe they can transform it into a flourishing city full of culture.
Reach the reporter at hdiiullo@asu.edu or follow on Twitter @HaleighD_SP
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