Arts Coalition hosts candidates forum

What do the people running for city office think about arts and culture? Find out at the Candidates Forum, sponsored by the Carson City Arts and Culture Coalition 7-9 p.m. Monday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center. The forum is free and open to the public.

Candidates for Carson City's Board of Supervisors, Wards 1 and 3, will discuss their positions on matters affecting arts and culture in a forum moderated by Peter Barton, administrator of the Nevada Division of Museums and History. Candidates are Karen Abowd, Rob Joiner, Sean Lehmann, Paul Saucedo, Gary Schulz, Norman Scoggin, John McKenna, Mark Sattler and Day Williams. They will answer questions about support for theater and libraries and discuss how the arts can develop tourism and help with the city economy.

"We want to pack the house with arts supporters," said Stephanie Arrigotti, professor of music at Western Nevada College and director of the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company. "It is important that candidates understand how many people care about the arts in our community."

Cuts in theater, library and museum budgets affect the community.

"During difficult economic times, families are turning to libraries, looking for information and entertainment without breaking the family budget," said Andi Moore, community relations coordinator of the Carson City Library. "We'd like to see how much the candidates value culture and how they would plan to fund it."

"During times of need, the arts and culture are all the more important," said musician Chris Bayer. "They help us heal. They remind us of life's meaning. The forum is an opportunity for our candidates to address how the community will not only sustain efforts but also to move forward with arts and culture."