ART, CULTURE, AND THE CREATIVE CITY: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF ART AND CULTURAL PLANS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master in Urban and Regional Planning By Pedro Gomez 2019 Signature Page THESIS: ART, CUTLURE, AND THE CREATIVE CITY: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF ART AND CULTURAL PLANS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AUTHOR: Pedro Gomez DATE SUBMITTED: Fall 2019 Department of Urban and Regional Planning Dr. Gwendolyn H. Urey Thesis Committee Chair Urban and Regional Planning Dr. Dina Abdul Karim Thesis Committee Urban and Regional Planning Dr. Alvaro Huerta Thesis Committee Urban and Regional Planning ii Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank my incredibly supportive parents, family and friends. Without them, I would not have had the courage to continue my education and pursue a master’s degree. None of what I have been able to accomplish in my life would have been possible without them. To them, I am eternally grateful. I would also like to thank Dr. Gwen Urey for her patience and continued support as I diligently worked on finishing this thesis. In addition, I would like to thank my thesis committee, Dr. Dina Abdul Karim and Dr. Alvaro Huerta and all the incredibly supportive professors that I’ve had during my time at Cal Poly Pomona. Many thanks are owed to my dearest friend and mentor, Kelly Hart. Thank you for going out on a limb and giving me a chance to get my foot into the world of planning and thank you for pushing me to pursue my master’s degree. I will always value your continued mentorship and your words of wisdom. Lastly, I’d like to express my profound gratitude and appreciation to my life partner, Jessica Torres. Thank you for being an incredible support system and thank you for believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. Your continued love and support propelled me forward and provided me with the inspiration to finish my graduate degree. iii Abstract This study explores art and culture policies and participation rates within the cities of Laguna Beach, Santa Ana and Pomona in order to generate new policy recommendations related to the planning process for arts and cultural master plans. In addition, it addresses the research question, how does the adoption of art and cultural master plans affect arts and culture participation in a community? The study employed a multiple-case study design and incorporated the following: (1) study question, (2) propositions, (3) unit of analysis, (4) logic linking the data to the propositions, and (5) criteria for interpreting the findings. Pattern-matching logic was used to compare the empirically based patterns found in the analysis of data collected. The findings from the data analysis were compared with two predicted propositions established and with eight plausible rival explanations. The findings made as part of this study state that through the development of art and cultural policies, cities can bring together a mixed sector of the creative community, including local artists, nonprofit organizations, stakeholders and community partners. Furthermore, through the implementation of art and cultural master plans, cities can engage in the community visioning processes, establish arts and culture programming and address the needs of the arts and culture community. Lastly, art and cultural plans that emphasize community development and make arts and culture a priority in community often contribute to social benefits and equitable access of the arts and culture and promote art and cultural vitality through engagement of residents in community-based arts, promoting community identity and increasing social interactions. iv Table of Contents Signature Page ..................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xiii Chapter 1: Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................. 6 A Brief History of Art and Culture in Planning Practice ................................................ 8 Defining Art, Culture and Vitality ................................................................................ 14 Arts and Culture Planning Policies ............................................................................... 20 Placemaking and Creative Spaces ................................................................................ 27 Economic Vitality, Gentrification and Community Displacement ............................... 31 Chapter 3: Research Design and Methodology ................................................................ 37 Multiple-Case Study Research Design ......................................................................... 40 Study Question .......................................................................................................... 40 Theoretical Propositions ........................................................................................... 42 Unit of Analysis ........................................................................................................ 44 Research Methodology ................................................................................................. 45 Documents and Archives .......................................................................................... 47 v Semi-structured Interviews ....................................................................................... 48 Direct Observations .................................................................................................. 51 Logic Linking the Data to the Propositions .............................................................. 56 Criteria for Interpreting the Findings ........................................................................ 56 Chapter 4: Case Studies .................................................................................................... 59 Laguna Beach, California ............................................................................................. 61 Laguna Beach Artist Colony ..................................................................................... 63 Population and Demographics .................................................................................. 65 Economic Development ............................................................................................ 73 Art Evolution – Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Plan 2016 .......................................... 76 Pomona, California ....................................................................................................... 77 Pomona Artist Colony............................................................................................... 80 Population and Demographics .................................................................................. 82 Economic Development ............................................................................................ 89 City of Pomona Cultural Plan ................................................................................... 92 Santa Ana, California .................................................................................................... 94 Santa Ana Artist Village ........................................................................................... 96 Population and Demographics .................................................................................. 99 Economic Development .......................................................................................... 105 Santa Ana Arts and Culture Master Plan 2016 ....................................................... 108 vi Chapter 5: Research Findings ......................................................................................... 111 City of Laguna Beach Research Findings ................................................................... 114 Qualitative Data – Documents ................................................................................ 115 Qualitative Data – Direct Observations and Semi-Structured Interviews .............. 124 Quantitative Data .................................................................................................... 131 City of Pomona Research Findings............................................................................. 136 Qualitative Data – Documents ................................................................................ 136 Qualitative Data – Direct Observations and Semi-Structured Interviews .............. 146 Quantitative Data .................................................................................................... 157 City of Santa Ana Research Findings ......................................................................... 161 Qualitative Data