Culture Builds Communities

Culture Connects All, a benchmark report by Partners for Livable communities funded by MetLife Foundation, offers new audience-building opportunities for arts and cultural organizations to engage two of America’s fastest growing populations: immigrant and older adult populations. 

The 2010 census confirms what many have observed over the past decade—the population is growing older, and in many areas more diverse.  And this change is happening across the face of the nation. Two rapidly expanding population groups present a timely opportunity for communities and their arts and cultural institutions to rethink and retool their outreach.

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Overview

 

Livability has become the framework for our Congress, our administration, and our federal agencies to invest in the quality of life, economic competitiveness, and recovery of the American community.  

Yet “livability” is a broad term encompassing many values.  Partners for Livable Communities, in association with the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum, hosted a forum that discusses how quality of life, economic development, and social services can be addressed  by engaging the full range of livability values, including transportation, housing, and amenities such as arts, cultural heritage, and design.  This blending of strategies has created a livability tool kit that city, state, and national leaders can use to revitalize the American community.

Our program featured a view of livability at the crossroads, a panel of federal officials outlining the federal livability agendas, and perspectives on how economic, social, and quality of life development fit into these agendas.  The forum sought to create a framework to advance cooperation among our federal partners, Congressional leaders, and staff as they weave resources together to restore the vigor and reinforce the livability of communities across America.

What:		A forum to create a common livability framework that incorporates the full range of tools available to the movement.
When:		Wednesday, September 22, 2010 2:00 - 5:00 PM (followed by an outdoor reception on the Hirshhorn Plaza)
Where:		Ring Auditorium Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden Washington, DC
Who:		Congressional representatives, federal agencies, think tanks, cultural institutions, and community development leaders

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San José, CA

An arts organization teams up with a small, local business to create a central gathering place and cultural center within a struggling neighborhood.

Washington, D.C.

A committee made up of arts, business, and civic leaders dedicated to the cultural development of the Washington, D.C. community.

 

North Adams, MA

A cultural institution has brought stupendous growth to the surrounding community.

Holyoke, MA

A grass-roots organization that promotes economic, social, and community development through food and agriculture projects.

Queens, NY

A program that uses the rich cultural heritage of the community to engage and educate neighborhood youth

Asheville, NC

Organizations team up to provide unique, affordable housing and revitalize a struggling community.

Written by Tom Borrup with Partners for Livable Communities, this book features best practices and technical assistance how-to's on using culture as a fundamental tool for transformative community development. The book is a tool of broad scope covering topics such as: Asset Mapping; Funding and Policy; Effective Partnerships; Assessment and Evaluation. The book follows up on Partners ground-breaking Culture Builds Communities work.

Borrup writes, “In 1993 PLC began an extensive developmental program called Culture Builds Community, which aims to systematically place cultural assets within the portfolio of community development efforts…Nationwide in scope, the program gave rise to a publication, Culture Builds Communities, that inspired this book.”

Published by Fieldstone Alliance, Saint Paul, MN, 2006, 261 pages ($25)

(This Report/Book is only available for purchase. Partners does not have an electronic version available)

This book was written for a popular audience to learn from Ms. Heath’s 10 years of research for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Her research shows that arts and culturally based, after-school programs for at-risk youth have the most success in reaching young people and helping them develop skills for productive and successful lives.

Authors: Shirley Brice Heath and Laura Smyth, 1999, 96 pages ($10)

Bulk Discounts are available for this book. For 10 or more copies enter coupon code "artshow 10%" at checkout. For 20 or more copies enter coupon code "artshow 20%" at checkout. Contact Partners at (202) 887-5990 with questions.

(This Report/Book is only available for purchase. Partners does not have an electronic version available)