The expression of arts and culture around us is vital to what makes our region great. It gathers us as a community, gives us a new perspective on our neighbors, and helps heal and address our region’s most critical issues. What was true in 2009 when the last regional plan was created is even more evident 15 years later. The arts are an integral part of our everyday lives.

This plan, Our Creative Future, is a regional framework that is positioned to realize the community’s shared vision, and that every community may use to advance arts and culture for their residents.

From the murals that rose up during the social justice movement to the poetry and essays that were written to preserve this moment in history, we turned to art as an expression of beauty and pain. As our community navigated loneliness and isolation throughout the pandemic, the festivals and performances in our outdoor spaces brought us together safely. We are now turning to cultural events and creative businesses to revitalize our post-pandemic economy, and we are investing in arts-based programs to help individuals heal from the traumas of racism and homelessness.

All community members rely on our arts and culture system in big and small ways to make our home a joyful, vibrant, and resilient place to live.

Our region’s leaders partnered with community members to answer a central question: “What do we want our future cultural life to look like for the people who live here?”

During the planning process, the steering committee served as the community voice. Together, we reached over 3,500 people across 50 listening sessions, 40+ interviews, and two regional surveys. We spoke with artists of all disciplines, culture bearers, creatives, arts and cultural nonprofits, creative businesses, donors, audience members, aspiring professionals, students, amateurs, and others who enjoy arts and culture in all forms.

What we heard was clear. Arts and culture are fundamental to the livability and health of each community. We see the work of artists, creatives, culture bearers, and cultural nonprofits as:

• Essential to the region’s economic vitality
• Critical to promoting a sense of well-being and belonging
• Assisting with our most pressing community issues, such as homelessness, urban vitality, mental health, transportation, affordable housing, public safety, and more

It is clear artists and cultural nonprofits make a tangible difference in people’s lives while supporting government priorities. The arts and cultural community are part of the solution to create impact!

The community-based steering committee reviewed the connections and conversations and created a shared vision for arts and culture:

A tri-county region where every resident can access relevant and dynamic arts, culture, and creative experiences as an essential part of our lives.

The foundation of that vision is a healthy arts and cultural community supported by our governments, community leaders, artists, creatives, culture bearers, and each of you.