At the end of the month, the Somos Accelerator for Economic Resilience—SAFER— will convene a group of leaders from labor, business, government and community groups at the State of the Worker Summit. In addition to considering the impact of technology, artificial intelligence and public policy on work and workers, we will also discuss the importance of arts, culture and media work in a technology-driven economy. Some of you may ask, “Why?”
In the shorthand of city planning and development we have come to think of infrastructure in a limited way. Even “soft infrastructure” is defined by big, institutional rubrics or, as the dictionary might describe it, “institutional, financial, and social capital that maintains societal health and productivity.”
Such categories have served adequately since the Industrial Revolution. But, in truth, they do not get to the heart of the matter when discussing the world in which we actually live. There is no question that roads, schools, hospitals, fire and police services create a foundation for a well-functioning community. But equitable, vibrant, livable cities require a much broader concept of infrastructure.
At Somos Group we believe the built environment is a tool for healing and promoting human potential. That requires expertise in a range of fields—real estate, planning, architecture, government. If we consider that to be the “thesis” of our company, then its first corollary is this: no city truly thrives without the inclusion of the arts, culture and media. We believe they are an integral part of a truly human metropolis.
The arts have provided a foundation for joy and self-understanding in every culture for thousands of years. Since the first geometric engravings in South African caves, through Nigerian pottery, the monumental structures of the Ancient Americas, the European “old master,” paintings, and all the way to street murals of Boyle Heights, artists have sought to give expression to our humanity.
Cultural work—dance, music, poetry and theater to name a few—have been a central way of communicating who we are to one another and helped define our uniquely human qualities. With good reason, so much of the experience and understanding of our shared humanity comes from these cultural works.
And the invention of the printing press in the 15th Century created a revolution in human awareness that vastly expanded our ability to understand the human experience—especially of those different than ourselves in far-flung places we have never been. More recently, electronic media has re-revolutionized the dissemination and power of information—and, yes, disinformation.
At Somos, we believe arts, culture and media are all forms of urban infrastructure—and at their best help create successful communities. Nonetheless, cultural work writ large is often seen as a “nice to have”—not a “must have”—in the recipe of what makes a great city or town. And, too often, the people who create these elements of infrastructure are not seen as workers at all and left out of the “urban conversation.”
This is precisely why new media ventures like The LA Local are so important—to inform the community and create a sense of cohesion and unity of purpose in our efforts to improve the civic enterprise…To bring all people into that urban conversation.
This is the kind of wide-ranging discussion we hope to encourage at the State of the Worker Summit, and we hope you will join us to become part of that conversation.
The State of the Worker Summit is free. You can register here – please join us!
You can learn more about Alfred’s work in communities across Los Angeles here.
Somos Group are financial supporters of our community-centered journalism at The LA Local. Our newsroom retains full control over all editorial decisions, and without influence from individuals or organizations who support our work.