Dear Readers,

In this issue of Side of Culture, we go to Dublin, Lausanne and Orlando. Even through wilting heat, culture continued to flourish in Europe and Florida. Each of these cities is committed to promoting and supporting the arts.

According to Americans for the Arts,72% of Americans believe “the arts unify our communities regardless of age, race, and ethnicity” and 73% agree that the arts “helps me understand other cultures better”—a perspective observed across all demographic and economic categories. We hope you will recognize these attributes in these organizations.  

Corinna Lothar reminds us that some of the world's greatest literary treasures are in Dublin, Ireland. During her recent visit, she went to The Trinity College Old Library, Marsh’s Library and the Chester Beatty, all open to the public. 

Paul Clemence visited Lausanne, Switzerland and discovered a whole new arts district, Plateforme10, which has just been opened to the public in the Canton of Vaud. It is home to no less than three museums -- the musee cantonal de design et d'arts appliques contemporains (mudac), Photo Elysée, and the Musee Cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA), as well as the collections of two foundations: Toms Pauli and Félix Vallotton.

In her home state and city of Orlando, Florida, Cynthia Elyce Rubin did not have to venture far to share her story about the Mennello Museum of American Art. Her article reveals many things --  great art may have humble beginnings, art can inspire collectors, art can serve as the glue for creating communities,  art can foster learning and development.

Thank you for reading!

Victoria Larson