There’s been a long-running debate about the Phoenix arts scene that includes questions like these: Are venerable arts organizations too conservative? Are their patrons too conservative? Is this an encouraging or discouraging place for young artists to blossom creatively?

In its latest edition on newsstands, Phoenix New Times has published a “State of the Arts” story that includes ten suggestions to improve arts in the Valley. Writer Becky Bartkowski and Managing Editor Amy Silverman discuss the article.

One of the people they mentioned for the impact he’s having on how the arts are thought about in the Valley is Steven J. Tepper, Dean of ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. He came here from Vanderbilt about a year ago. He says the Valley is a unique place.