Oh Still Active On Arts Issue
January 12, 2009
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
David Oh, the Republican 2007 at-large City Council candidate, may have narrowly lost his election battle, but his role in Philadelphia’s development policy discussions — and possibly its politics — remains significant.
Mr. Oh, a law-firm principal from West Philadelphia, has long kept busy with a variety of civic responsibilities including serving on the boards of Nazareth Hospital, WYBE Public Television and Nazareth Academy High School among others. Last week he added a new one as Councilman Frank Rizzo, R, appointed him his alternate on the board of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, a city-financed entity that has distributed $12,500,000 to arts and culture interests in the city since 1993.
Mr. Oh said he was delighted to be so designated.
“Many people, I think, at this point in time know the value of arts and cultural programs, not just in the schools but as a moneymaker for the city,” he told The Bulletin.
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund works as an independent channel of public moneys to programs that often don’t have strong funding bases. Mayor Michael Nutter, D, attracted some critical attention late last month for what some considered too hands-on an effort to secure a $250,000 grant to the Philadelphia Orchestra through the fund. Critics said the city shouldn’t directly decide where the arts money goes.
Mr. Oh said that whatever the case may be regarding this grant, the subsidized nonprofit holds much potential to help revitalize the city.
“There’re a lot of organizations that it can support,” he said. “I do believe in the mission and I do believe it’s important.”
In his new capacity, Mr. Oh will attend all of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund’s board meetings and act on Mr. Rizzo’s behalf in his absence.
Stewart Graham, chief of staff to the councilman, called the designation of Mr. Oh a “nice developmental opportunity for him.”
“He was an effective candidate for City Council and someone who is I think articulate on many issues in the city, including cultural issues,” Mr. Graham said.
Expanding the city’s mainstays of artistic creation and performance figured prominently in Mr. Oh’s Council campaign two autumns ago. He ran on the development of an arts conversation district that would function much like New York City’s Soho neighborhood.
Will Mr. Oh take another opportunity to present this and other ideas on economic development to the Philadelphia electorate in 2011? He hasn’t shelved the possibility.
“There’s a great likelihood that I will,” he said. “That’s a bridge I’ll have to cross when the time comes. I wouldn’t be honest if I said it wasn’t on my mind.”
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us