🔒Affording the Cultural Capital: Mayor-elect Elicker on the role of the arts on the city and its economy

As Democrat Justin Elicker prepares to assume office Jan. 1 as the 51st mayor of New Haven, what is on his mind in regards to arts and culture, one of the defining aspects of his city’s identity? We talked to the mayor-elect in early December on the subject of the arts and how it relates to the city’s economy — and how it relates to the community. The following is an edited version of that conversation.

Philosophically, how do you see the role of municipal government with regard to the arts?

In general, the role of government is to make people have more opportunities to succeed, and there are many ways government can implement policies that can level the playing field and eliminate barriers. The arts are one way that can enable people to thrive. What I mean by that is, some view the arts in New Haven as people from the suburbs coming into the city to watch a concert, or go to the theater and then perhaps to dine out — and there’s a certain economic advantage to that. But that’s not really going to move the dial on people improving their lives. I think the government’s role is in nudging the arts towards investing in communities that are struggling, and using the limited resources we have to support local artists.

Do you anticipate changes in the city’s arts, culture and tourism office?

There’s not a huge budget there. I’m currently exploring who I think would be the right fit in that position [to head the office, currently vacant], and who would collaborate with the [Cultural Affairs Commission]. I also think there should be collaboration with our public schools to provide talent and to be sure the arts are used as a tool in the public schools.

I think the branding [of New Haven as Connecticut’s cultural capital] is important, but it’s only one component of what’s important in that position. The branding should not only highlight New Haven as a destination, but highlight the incredible other innate attributes of the city. It’s not only about the Shubert Theatre, but also places like [smaller theater groups] Broken Umbrella Theatre and Collective Consciousness Theatre. What’s important is highlighting what is coming out of New Haven, and see it as a place that is producing art, and not just seeing art that comes from other places.

With housing at a premium in New Haven and older factories and warehouses being converted into apartments, is there a danger of the city becoming unaffordable for young artists to live and to have studios here?

One of the main policies I’ve talked about is about inclusionary zoning and implementing more opportunities for affordable housing in the city. This is a theme I heard consistently when I [was] knocking on doors. Frankly, I didn’t hear it six years ago when I first ran [for mayor]. That tells me rents are going up and development is starting to put pressure on residents who have been here for many years. It also tells me that New Haven is not as affordable for artists, especially those who are starting out, and who want to live here.

I think it’s important to ensure there’s not only housing for just a specific interest group [such as artists] but there’s affordable housing for many people. There are a lot of benefits for having artists in specific housing — and I’m open to that conversation — but you’ve got to be careful when implementing that kind of artist-specific housing policy. You want to be sure we’re not elbowing out other people who are also in need and are deserving.

And studio space?

I do know it’s been increasingly difficult to fill [street level] retail space because of the Amazon effect — and that can be an opportunity to be used as studio space. Everyone would like to live in a city where there is first-floor retail space and full and active streets — but it’s more difficult to do that.

Will the focus of the Division of Arts, Culture & Tourism be less focused on outside-drawing events — Operapalooza, concerts on the Green?

Will they have the same priority?

What am I going to say? I’m coming into office and say we’re no longer going to have the Grand Prix? That’s not an effective way for me to promote collaboration within the arts community. But I do think the role of the director of arts and culture is one where that person can encourage all arts organizations — many of which are already working hard to promote more local talent. The director of cultural affairs can help prioritize that more so that these events, where we spend a lot of money bringing outside artists and performers, have a better mix of local talent.

What do you see as the future for the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, which has seen leadership changes in the last few years and flat attendance?

I don’t want to seem like I’m dodging the question, but it’s more than I can answer now. I need to spend more time talking with the organizations that are the recipients of the funding and exploring what opportunities exist out there. The festival is an important element of the city historically, but it’s also become increasingly difficult with budget challenges to help support everything in the same way.

Are you saying that the city doesn’t have the resources as it once did, where before it could swoop in to save the Shubert or start an international festival? Are you saying the arts are not too big to fail?

I wouldn’t say that quote. I think it’s really important to underscore that we have $1.5 billion of debt and our financial system is going to get worse and worse over the coming years unless we do something to dramatically correct the course. We’ll either have to find new sources of revenue or make some really difficult decisions. It’s difficult for me to make promises I’m not sure I can keep. I will be proactively looking at other sources of revenue. In many ways our budgets have been cut in every sector over the years. Our city is already lean, and I really understand when people say the arts are often the first to get cut. And they certainly have over the years. I’ll do my best not to do that — but I also think we have to be realistic about our financial capacity.

Will the city seek to actively promote arts entrepreneurism or new initiatives, such as when Long Wharf Theatre/Shubert/Albertus Magnus College were looking for a new downtown space?

The short answer is yes. But there has to be an economic case for the city to put a significant amount of money into any new program and to see in the long term that it can pay for the amount it borrows to cover that project. But there are other ways for the city to help to make [such projects] happen. Often the city owns property, or there may be a potential tax abatement for programs that help the city economically — but also that give back to the community.

What cultural events have you taken in recently?

We saw [Marco Ramirez’s] The Royale at [New Haven’s] Collective Consciousness Theatre, and my wife and I thought it was one of the best shows we’ve seen. I’m very interested in music. Music has always been a big part of my life and I play guitar, banjo and harmonica. I find these days music is a way for people to bring people together, have a little fun and to be more human. We need a lot more humanizing today given our divisive politics and the incredible challenges our world faces. The arts have always played that important role in my life through music.