Robbins offers insights into reinvigorated Scottsdale Arts
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
Dennis Robbins will be taking the reins atop the Scottsdale Arts Board of Directors as its chair this summer.
Mr. Robbins is a Scottsdale native, former elected leader, and today serves as executive director at the Scottsdale Charros & The Charro Foundation, a philanthropic outfit focused on supporting local nonprofit efforts and its primary recipient of support, the Scottsdale Unified School District.
The Arizona Digital Free Press reached out to better understand how Mr. Robbins values artistic expression, what the business of art means to the community he calls “home,” and what he expects from the leadership at Scottsdale Arts as his upcoming tenure looms.
This is what he had to say:
• As I understand it, you will be the next chair of the Arts board and I am very curious to hear about how you view the organization, and the mission of Public Art in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale has long been known for its arts and culture. The mission of Scottsdale Arts is “Sparking creativity, building community through extraordinary arts experiences.” Scottsdale Arts is a multifaceted organization that provides arts programming, education, and experiences to the greater Scottsdale community. We do this through four divisions: the Center for Performing Arts, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Public Art, and Scottsdale Arts Learning and Innovation. Each division provides arts and culture programming to the Scottsdale community.
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• What was it that drew you to taking on the key community leadership role on the Scottsdale Arts board of directors?
Art is especially important to the residents of Scottsdale. It is important to continue the historical traditions of arts and culture and also to respond to new ways of delivering arts and meeting the needs of those who value high quality arts experiences in our community. It is important to continue to evolve our programming and services so that our community is continually enriched and valued.
• What do you hope to see come from the renewed arts brand during your tenure atop the board of directors?
Scottsdale Arts has a transformational vision for how arts and culture can be experienced by our residents and visitors in Scottsdale. We have an extraordinarily rich, broad, and comprehensive plan to continue to provide visual, performing, and public art, in addition to special events, festivals, and arts education. We have an extremely talented staff, a caring and committed board, and a visionary leader in Dr. Gerd Wuestemann. All of the ingredients for success are right here. We just need to engage our community to enjoy what Scottsdale Arts has to offer.
• What do you hope for the community of Scottsdale and how do you think Scottsdale Arts will help you reach that vision?
There are so many reasons to love living, visiting, and doing business in Scottsdale. Scottsdale Arts is one of the many reasons that makes Scottsdale a unique and special place. Scottsdale Arts has done incredible work in the past to help put Scottsdale on the arts and cultural map. But we cannot become complacent. In fact, we need to be more focused and driven than ever. We have a tremendous opportunity to make Scottsdale the arts and cultural hub of the Valley.
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We should be. We need to be. We have an amazing partnership with the mayor, council, and the city of Scottsdale government. We need their leadership and vision to help propel Scottsdale Arts into the next 30 years of cultural leadership. Scottsdale Arts can become a catalyst to create positive, meaningful, and constructive arts and cultural experiences for all the Scottsdale community to enjoy.
• Do you have a favorite art medium? If so, can you tell me when or how you experienced that artistic expression in Scottsdale?
There are so many beautiful pieces to Scottsdale Arts and all the offerings in our portfolio. From live performances to contemporary exhibitions, to teaching and learning in our schools. I really enjoy the art in public places. It may be a bit mundane and pedestrian, but I like the fact that we cover our utility boxes with interesting art. I enjoy the creative shade structures surrounding many of our little used bus stops. I think the money we spent on the walls covering the Pima freeway was money well spent. It may not be a popular opinion, but I do like the art our everyday citizens can see walking and driving around town.
• What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Scottsdale Arts as we move into the next chapter of vision of Mr. Wuestemann?
I think the biggest challenge to our vision is community buy-in. In some ways we are one of Scottsdale’s best-kept secrets. There is so mush to see, do, and experience with Scottsdale Arts that needs to be communicated to our citizenry. I do believe if we can tell our story and if people will take the time to hear it, then we will be embraced and celebrated by the citizens of Scottsdale.
