Sedona AZ (May 10, 2012) – In an economy where usually one of the first monetary reductions is the arts, the City of Sedona has proudly established itself as a city dedicated to the arts. Although funding has been reduced due to the economy, this has not deferred the City’s commitment to both art and culture.

For example, in the current fiscal year, arts and culture organizations received sixty-two percent of the funds available for Arts and Culture, Community Building, and Economic Stimulus Grants. In addition, the City Council has proposed an extra $30,000 for this fund, bringing the total to $150,000.

Wonderful examples of this dedication can be seen all over Sedona. Drive into Sedona from three different locations and take in the beauty of artistic, welcoming signs. Journey toward the post office to view the newest roundabout art titled Above and Beyond. Or perhaps go on a relaxing stroll through one of the City’s pocket parks such as the Botanical Gardens to observe playful bronze jackrabbits, javalina, and coyotes.

How important are the arts and culture to the City of Sedona? Exceptionally important! Whereas most cities simply build new sidewalks, the city built a new sidewalk at Posse Grounds Park then embellished it with lively children, all cut from steel.

Normal park benches even receive special treatment with a City of Sedona funded artistic flair – visitors and citizens alike can sit on a cozy bench while engaging metal javalinas peek out from under the seat.

One of the City’s public art collection brightest stars is Clyde Ross Morgan’s “Red Rocks and the Cowboy Artist.” This statute of a smiling cowboy, painting the red rock vistas while a little girl eagerly watches his progress, entertains thousands of visitors in uptown Sedona each year. Another beautiful bronze statute enthusiastically greeting west l west Sedona library visitors is of our namesake, Sedona Schnebly.

City Hall in west Sedona also offers a selection of public art for visitors and residents to enjoy. In the City Administration building, visitors may revel in large photographs of Sedona’s four seasons. Not to be missed is the City Manager’s conference rooms which feature a permanent portrait gallery of historical citizens and, each quarter, a new exhibition highlighting the work of local artists and art groups.

The City of Sedona has established an extraordinary display of public art work. Visit the entire assembly on www.SedonaAZ.gov under Arts and Culture.

Sedona is also very dedicated to educating its children about arts and culture. The Artist in the Classroom Program is City-funded annually to provide valuable arts education to area classrooms. This superb program reaches hundreds of Sedona students each year with over two dozen experienced art teachers visiting Kindergarten through high school.

Due to a realization that art education is a priority to the Sedona community, the Sedona City Council recently, and proudly, proposed increased funding to this vital program.

Art is firmly embraced within our beautiful city and it continues to thrive. The future for Sedona art will include upcoming projects, such as, roundabout art, murals, exhibits, and perhaps the most important, an ever-growing commitment to arts education.

Sedona is truly a city not only animated by the arts but devoted to the arts.

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