NATIONAL ARTS PUBLICATION DATABASE (NAPD)
How Creativity and Culture Can Contribute to Community Planning

Author: Zabel, Laura

Publication Year:

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This paper from the National Endowment for the Arts, written by Springboard for the Arts' Laura Zabel, explores different strategies and techniques for integrating the arts into planning.

Abstract:

ART AND CULTURE ARE UNDERUTILIZED assets in community planning and development. Working with artists can help improve stakeholder engagement in planning in a number of ways and contribute to plans and developments that represent and serve the people who live in a community.

ARTISTS BRING PEOPLE TO THE CONVERSATION
In community planning and development there is a well-understood need and desire to get input from the people who live and work in the community itself. Community plans have a better chance of being useful, equitable, and healthy if the people who actually live in the community are represented in the planning process. Artists can help organizers and planners transform community-input sessions from lightly attended meetings in musty basement rooms to vibrant, engaging celebrations that invite more diverse participation and input. For example, the Friendly Streets Initiative, a community-led planning and organizing group in St. Paul, Minnesota, successfully worked with a group of artists to design creative and fun block parties where neighbors were invited to  give feedback about traffic calming and bike and pedestrian issues in their neighborhood. [excerpt p. 1]

Arts & Intersections: Planning

Categories: Cultural Planning, Community Development

ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Series Title:

Edition:

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Pages: 4

Resources: Document

PUBLISHER INFORMATION

Name: National Endowment for the Arts

Website URL: http://www.arts.gov