Your turn: Together, we will transform our community through arts and culture
The primary focus of the Rockford Area Arts Council has been the Rockford Region Cultural Plan.
It’s important, at this point in the process, to ensure as many people understand … What IS a cultural plan and how will it impact you and our community?
A cultural plan is a strategic action plan for —
Increasing access to arts and culture, equitably
Integrating arts and culture into other key sectors: healthcare, education, economic and workforce development, real estate, etc.
Showcasing arts and culture agencies: A cultural plan provides an opportunity to build new relationships, outside of the arts and culture community, and align resources, programs and community features to more effectively elevate arts and culture.
The Rockford Region Cultural Plan is the result of extensive community conversations, research, focus groups, interviews, surveys, and analysis of Rockford’s existing arts and culture ecosystem, as summarized in the State of Culture in Rockford Report, which provides background and context for our present and our future.
Telling Rockford's many stories
The Arts Council believes that investing in arts and culture will uplift the entire Rockford region by telling Rockford’s many stories.
Through arts and culture, we celebrate our diversity, revitalize our neighborhoods, elevate our shared identity and enrich our lives to create more vibrant, inclusive communities.
The Rockford Region Cultural Plan is fortuitously timed, with several other regional agencies prioritizing arts and culture in their strategic plans:
City of Rockford’s Neighborhood Revitalization and Corridor Plans
Rockford Park District’s 2020 Action Plan
Region 1 Planning Council’s Comprehensive Plan
Rockford Public Schools’ Facilities Master Plan
Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Master Destination Plan
The Cultural Plan REVEAL, on July 11, will share four community priorities and several of the associated strategies and action steps.
You can register at artsforeveryone.com/cultural-plan/.
By the people, for the people
The four priorities were developed by the people of the Rockford region, for the people of the Rockford region:
Inclusivity & Intersectional Collaboration: Foster more inclusive cultural representation through greater collaboration and connection.
Neighborhood & Space Development: Activate neighborhoods and underutilized spaces with arts and culture.
Youth & Arts Education: Increase creative opportunities for youth and arts education.
Advocacy & Policy: Invest in the Rockford region’s cultural identity through funding, policy, and advocacy.
As we complete the Rockford Region Cultural Plan, the real work will begin.
Community partners who have invested time and energy into this plan have roles and responsibilities moving forward. The City of Rockford, Winnebago County government, Rockford Park District, Rockford and surrounding school districts, the Community Foundation, the health care agencies, and the Regional Planning Council play significant roles in the success of its implementation.
The Arts Council’s role is to elevate the intersection of arts and culture with these important community agencies, to tell the whole story of the place where we currently live, and champion the vision of the place that we want the Rockford region to be in the future.
Celebrating wins, building trust
The Arts Council consulted with Lord Cultural Resources whose mission statement is ‘making the world a better place through culture’, and that starts from within their team. We’ve had the honor of working with a powerhouse team from Lord.
They’ve impressed city officials, community leaders, and Rockford Region residents with their knowledge of Rockford’s history and their Rockford current events proficiency — I hear about regional wins from the Lord team before they hit our media’s websites.
This process has been as important as the product.
From small wins like the development of Artist Round Tables, the Bu$iness of Art, the development of a shared contact list for the LatinX community, and the prioritization of Spanish mailers and a more accessible website, to big ideas like the development of an arts and culture consortium made up of for-profit agencies committed to the creation of an Arts and Culture Trust and the long-term goal of a Cultural Civic Center.
From seemingly small achievements to highly impactful initiatives, the Arts Council is building community trust through the common thread of arts and culture.
Here's what people are saying
"We are beginning to rediscover how great we are, despite our many challenges, thanks to our advantageous location, burgeoning industry, and affordability. An arts renaissance is now blossoming in Rockford, encompassing visual arts, theatre, live music, literature, fashion and dance. Rockford has long been a producer of a diverse range of talent, and we must continue to dedicate ourselves to providing every child with access to arts education.
The arts act as a catalyst for creativity, leading to positive change, new commerce, and business opportunities, while also attracting tourism and economic growth. The time is now to preserve our regional cultural heritage by developing new venues and preserving historically significant ones. We need new spaces where artists can create, work, perform, and live, fostering collaboration, community and new cultural experiences. By doing so, we can celebrate our traditions and build a vibrant future for Rockford," said local artist Nathan Taylor
"A Rockford Region Cultural Plan will be very beneficial to the city of Rockford and surroundingcommunities. A cultural plan will not only build bridges between the many different cultures andethnic communities within the city but will also create an opportunity to share and learn abouteach other's culture, customs, and traditions. Knowing and learning about each other's culture andtraditions create unity, improved community relations, and a sense of belonging," said Armando Cardenas, Coalition of Latino Leaders and Arts Council Board Member
You are the Rockford region
This plan arrives at a moment of great momentum for our community.
The Rockford region boasts bold public art installations, dynamic performing arts, unique neighborhood character, rich cultural experiences, and unconventional creative happenings.
You are the Rockford region, and together we will continue to elevate, celebrate, and transform our community through arts and culture.
Something to share? Connect with us at artsforeveryone.com.
Mary McNamara Bernsten is the executive director of the Rockford Area Arts Council.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Your turn: Together, we will transform our community
