The pigs were everywhere: Motorcycle-riding pigs covered brick walls; a pig resembling TV's Bart Simpson hung nearby. It was all part of the Pig "Sowlon," a February display of almost 1,000 artist submissions for The Big Pig Gig at Over-the-Rhine's Pendleton Art Center. Matching sponsors and area artists is just step one in the year-long arts project. The 50-lb. pigs still need to be manufactured. Installation of the pigs throughout Greater Cincinnati begins this summer. The project culminates in a Nov. 13 Big Pig auction at Music Hall. If successful, moneys raised will benefit ArtWorks, the summer arts and job training program, and other selected charities.
Chances are you've heard about The Big Pig Gig. The publicity has been overwhelming. It's the new, new thing in Cincinnati's arts community. But let's set aside the Gig for one moment. Forget about pig sponsorships and the overwhelming support for the Gig. It's time to focus on a bigger and better ArtWorks. That is, if the Gig will let us.
A recent meeting with Executive Director Tamara Harkavy confirmed plans for an expanded ArtWorks enrollment with 230 students in 11 project areas. There is also a commitment for ArtWorks' first satellite location outside Cincinnati at Covington's Carnegie Center. It's a welcome expansion, bringing the ArtWorks experience to teen-agers in Northern Kentucky. Of course, such growth requires more money: The Covington program requires a separate team leader and three staff assistants to work with 25 students.
Entering into its fifth year, ArtWorks is primed for new challenges. Discussions are underway with Hamilton's Fitton Center. Offering support to start similar programs in Cleveland and Columbus is on the agenda. Basically, ArtWorks needs to grow into the next level. Short-term goals include more satellite programs, further outreach in the city and outer suburbs and an enrollment of 1,500 children.
Long-term goals? Well, the sky's the limit. The good news is that potential funding from a successful Big Pig Gig auction can help create the type of endowment ArtWorks needs to grow. Despite a separate operations manager for ArtWorks, both projects are realistically joined at the hip through Harkavy.
Of course, the bad news is that all the time, energy and money needed to support the Pigs might steam-roll ArtWorks into a disastrous season.
The challenge for Cincinnati's growing arts community is to support both projects equally. Granted, pleas for help are the task for ArtWorks board members, committees and long-time supporters. But it's hard to ignore the danger signs. It's clear there's only so much Harkavy can do by herself with a modest staff. I've met few people who aren't impressed by what ArtWorks does year after year. Now is the time for the program's silent supporters to step forward.
ArtWorks, like many arts projects, tends to come together at the last minute. Program staff is hired by the end of April. Workshops and staff training occur later in the spring.
Day-to-day funding is a constant concern for any arts organization. ArtWorks receives a mixed bag of support from the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio and the Fine Arts Fund. But a sizable portion of the budget still needs to be raised. It's how things play out every year. The difference is that this year ArtWorks is sharing the funding plate with the Big Pig Gig.
Cincinnati's funding pie is only so large. Think about it: Can we renovate the Emery Theatre and also finish the capital campaign for a new Contemporary Arts Center? How much is possible? It raises the most pessimistic of questions: Can Cincinnati support The Big Pig Gig and an expanded ArtWorks program? Actually "can" isn't the right word. Is Cincinnati willing to rally support behind these two worthy projects? The Big Gig is planned as a one-year project. ArtWorks is meant to be around for a long time.
For an arts community that enjoys bragging about its bullish growth, supporting ArtWorks and the Big Pig Gig should not be a matter of choosing one or the other.
