Funding from the Irvine Foundation allowed Monterey county arts groups to look at their realities and market potential. At the Creative Action Plan Update ;launch Paulette Lynch of the Arts Council for Monterey County talked about the process of examining our organizations, talents, and markets has brought the arts community together with the realization that, "The Arts are the answer to our problems." Orlando Castro of the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts in East Salinas reminds us how the arts transformed communities like Long Beach and San Diego. Monterey's artistic community has learned to collaborate and work for a better future for all of us. Less