Northeast Ohio’s Arts & Culture Plan THIS PLAN IS DEDICATED TO THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ACROSS THE REGION WHO TOOK PART IN CREATING IT. MAY 10, 2000 ccess, learning, partnership and resources are elements: thorough research and the widest possible challenges facing individual artists to the fact that the the cornerstones of Northeast Ohio’s first region- inclusion. It was essential to develop a plan with the region’s arts and cultural industry generates al cultural plan. These four goals, together with region’s people, not for them. $1.3 billion in economic activity each year. Atheir objectives and actions, form a strategy for The response was remarkable. One hundred and Qualitative and quantitative analysis yielded the community and cultural success. They map the way for nine civic, business, and cultural leaders from 20 different information to create a realistic plan. This document is a our seven counties to link more of the region’s people to areas of the region formed task forces to create and host working set of blueprints for improving our communities healthier and more vibrant arts and cultural assets. Like public forums. They organized 42 separate events in while strengthening arts and culture. The plan is adapt- the region’s parks and greenspace, the distinction of our Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and able and portable. It is a clear and succinct guide that universities and medical centers and the pride in our Summit counties. They encouraged their neighbors and respects the region’s unique urban, suburban and rural sports teams, the diversity, excellence and depth of our colleagues to participate – and 1,000 people attended to character. arts and culture help to make Northeast Ohio an exciting offer their ideas about arts and culture. We wish to thank the members of the Civic Study place to be. The Partnership created an advisory council open Commission, whose work called for this plan. We thank In late 1996, The Cleveland Foundation Civic Study to anyone who wished to participate in the planning our funders, The Cleveland Foundation and The George Commission on the Performing Arts issued a major report process. Four hundred people joined. In addition, more Gund Foundation, who provided critical resources to create with key recommendations for the arts in Northeast Ohio. than 600 artists and cultural professionals from 80 differ- a plan of this scope. We also thank the Kulas and John P. It warned that not only could the stability and permanence ent organizations shared data and provided counsel for Murphy foundations, National City Bank, Forest City of the region’s diverse cultural assets not be guaranteed – our research. Management and Firstar for supporting specific aspects they were seriously threatened. A regional plan, the At more than 50 different types of cultural events, of research and operations. We deeply appreciate the Commission said, was “the most critical requirement for more than 6,000 consumers told us what they valued in collaborative efforts of the Cleveland Cultural Coalition’s sustaining our cultural institutions.” the arts and cultural sector. The largest cultural market members and the region’s artists and cultural organizations. In response, The Cleveland Foundation, The George analysis ever conducted in the region identified more Now we have a plan, and the hard work of imple- Gund Foundation and the Cleveland Cultural Coalition than 250,000 households that regularly benefit from a mentation begins. The effort is worthwhile because it convened The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture wide array of arts and cultural offerings from 55 different offers value to all the region’s residents, towns and major to develop a strategic cultural plan. In September 1997, organizations. cities. The action steps called for will improve our quality The Partnership gathered a group of committed regional This lively public input was combined with signifi- of living, strengthen education for citizens of all ages, and leaders from the public, private and cultural sectors to cant formal studies. Three national firms conducted nine contribute to Northeast Ohio’s social and economic well- launch the planning process. From the outset, all were major research projects, which gave us a broad base of being. The region’s people have created their own vision – convinced that the plan’s success depended on two key knowledge. We learned about a range of issues, from the a vision of even greater vitality through arts and culture. 2 ———— 3 ANDREW E. RANDALL THOMAS B. SCHORGL Chairman, The Partnership President, The Partnership ACCESS LEARNING PARTNERSHIP RESOURCES Access, simply put, is approachability. Across the region, participants in the The arts and culture bring abundant Northeast Ohio’s cultural sector generates It makes the arts and culture more Partnership’s Public Forums stressed the assets to the community. The benefits of more than $1.3 billion each year and attractive, available and friendly. Access importance of arts and cultural education cultural-educational partnerships are provides the equivalent of 3,700 full-time eliminates barriers that keep people from for people of all ages. Lifelong apprecia- well known: even greater rewards accrue jobs. The sector is a source of enormous enjoying the wealth of arts and cultural tion of and participation in the arts and from broader partnerships that join the local pride. But the region lags behind opportunities in our region. It creates culture enhance the quality of daily living. cultural, public and private sectors. much of the nation in per capita public new ways for people to feel comfortable The well-documented benefits extend Lively programs under way around support of arts and cultural assets. and welcome at events, to try their hand from early childhood into old age. the nation and locally demonstrate clear- Thousands of people surveyed for at creating art and to participate in culture Especially when the arts and culture ly how much the arts and culture can this plan strongly favored local public in all its forms. become part of the core curriculum in provide. Neighborhood, city and regional sector support for arts and culture. More Northeast Ohioans surveyed for this schools, student performance improves. development are stronger when they than three-quarters said that part of plan expressed a significantly higher SAT and other test scores are higher, include arts and culture. Health and existing tax dollars should fund arts and interest in arts and culture than people positive behaviors increase, dropout rates human service agencies join with the arts cultural programs. More than two-thirds nationwide – but despite their enthusiasm, plunge. Specific art forms appear to link to invent new and effective services for said they would support a tax increase for not all of them participate in cultural to particular subjects: students involved children, youth and families. Cultural arts and culture. These percentages are activities. Access is the bridge that can in music and theater have better math task forces bring fresh voices to the striking: nationally, the number of those bring more people to the arts, and deliver and reading skills. The effects are particu- debate on long-term issues such as trans- likely to approve a tax increase for the the arts to their doorstep. larly strong with children from low-income portation and economic development. arts hovers around 50 percent. The arts provide ways for people of families. Heritage areas and cultural districts Public dollars are not the only different backgrounds, races, generations But adults benefit too. Physical and link the arts with private development to means to sustain and grow our vibrant and ethnicities to learn about their own emotional health are enhanced when peo- promote diverse neighborhoods and arts and cultural assets. Community lead- and others’ cultures. Greater access posi- ple learn new skills in the middle of life, preserve history. Arts and cultural compe- ers and artists alike cited technical tions the arts and cultural sector to help particularly when they pursue activities titions and festivals showcase diversity assistance as a critical form of support. build community within diversity. And, in the practice of arts and culture. and boost the area’s cultural reputation. Good self-assessment tools, they said, through greater access to arts and culture, Lifelong learning also benefits our Arts and culture enliven public spaces. would help organizations stay healthy. those who are often isolated – people children’s teachers. When they discover Participants in the Partnership’s Ongoing research is vital, because the with disabilities, older persons and youth new ways to bring the arts to their class- Public Forums stressed the value of arts data leads to better-informed decisions. at risk – are included in the community’s rooms, both teaching and learning are and cultural sector leaders to the public The current robust markets and social and economic life. heightened. and private sectors. Arts and cultural high level of private support for arts and Northeast Ohio enjoys an excep- Stronger links among artists, executives stressed the value they find in culture are not guaranteed. New public tional array of high-quality and diverse teachers, and arts and cultural organiza- leadership from other sectors. When and private resources can help to ensure cultural activities. Greater access links tions ensure that students of all ages trustees,