Downey Art Vibe

Some people continually perceive that our city is on a down swing, a Warren High School student says otherwise. "The mural is both a memory, and an exciting preview. This is only the beginning, and although Downey is taking on a new aesthetic, it will never change what truly has made this city what it is, its caring community, and the kids who grew up in the city painted on Downey Avenue are eager to see and be part of what is to come." #staydowney #stayyoung #staypositive

Did you know? Creative placemaking work can tackle a variety of community issues beyond improving the aesthetics of a place. The Illuminating Trinity project led by Providence Art Culture Tourism will develop physical and programmatic approaches in response to public safety concerns in the Trinity Square neighborhood of Providence, RI. Check out their page on our website to learn more about this unique undertaking!

Today, President Barack Obama announced the Community Development Investments$18 million for six organizations across the country to integrate arts and culture into their community planning and development work. Such an exciting way to kick-off this new program that will engage the full range of community development priorities, including community resiliency, economic development, housing, open space, public health, and youth opportunity!

What makes a smart city really smart? Arts and culture add a sense of place. Identity. History. Imagination. Civic pride. These characteristics are what make a city a desirable place to live, work and visit. #stayyoung #staydowney #growcreatively

"Until very recently, industrial design often had to be done in the context of a large company, because the tools to do it were exclusively the territory of big companies. But that's not the way it works any more. People can go right into creating an enterprise or product, all by themselves." #stayyoung #staycreative

Food vendors bring positive activity to the street and add a festive, people-oriented feel that improves public safety. #staylocal

"In coloring, you've got this physical sensation of the tool you're using touching on the paper. You also have the feeling in your hands and fingers holding this tool, and moving in different rhythms as you fill in the space. You're being mindful, and when you move in a rhythmic fashion for an extended period of time, that becomes a meditation."

Unlock the door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension - a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone. Great performance last night. Congratulations to Warren High's Drama Department for the wonderful year!

Today, the inaugural ’Steam Festival’ was hosted by Downey Federal Credit Union and organized by students from both Downey and Warren High Schools to inspire the next generation of inventors in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. #stayyoung #steamcity #growcreatively

Many cities are trying to activateor re-activatetheir alleys and make them human-scale places, sometimes with restaurants, retail and outdoor art.

Stay Gallery Team giving presentation at Griffiths Elementary school. All middle schools will be participating in District-wide middle school art exhibition on April 30th. This will be one of 5 student exhibition during the next 2 months to celebrate the 'Stay Young' Initiative. The Stay Young Initiative aims to prepare today's future for the 21st century by integrating the arts into current educational standards. By providing various avenues for the City of Downey to become the creative capital of Southeast Los Angeles County. #stayyoung #steam #artsforall

When we think of good places to live, some pretty basic questions often come to mind. Is there evidence of a community's capacity to be expressive, tell its own story and control its own narrative? Is there evidence that people are civically engaged and care about their community; that they are proud of it and feel like they belong? Are there high performing schools? ... Is there access to good jobs and commercial amenities? Is there adequate open space? Is the quality of public services good? Does a community have cultural vitality and character? Is it distinctive, special, or interesting? Watch how Creative Placemaking Plays a Role in the Creative Economy. #staydowney #downtowndowney

Tune in to KCET tomorrow at 8 p.m. to explore the LA County-specific findings of the Otis College of Art and Design Report on the Creative Economy! #stayyoung #growcreatively

Reflections... "The World Would Be A Better Place If..." Great work from our Downey students! #stayyoung