Arts & Science Council Seeks Public Input for Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Cultural Vision

The Arts & Science Council (ASC) has launched a new website, http://www.CMCulturalPlan.org, to solicit public input on the future direction of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural community. The online survey and subsequent compilation of responses will help ASC shape the direction and major goals of a refreshed cultural vision for Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

“In our role as a cultural planner, we want to find new ways to make Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural opportunities more valued and vital to those who live and visit here,” said ASC President Scott Provancher. “We are excited, for the first time, to utilize technology and allow the community an easy means for adding its voice to the process.”

Cultural planning is a process which identifies the arts and cultural needs and preferences of residents, examines existing resources and opportunities for arts and cultural development and proposes strategies a given community can use to meet its citizens' needs for arts and cultural experiences. Three cultural action plans have been commissioned since 1976 – the last plan was completed in 1998.

Pat Riley, president/COO, Allen Tate Companies, is leading the current planning process. Riley has hosted seven cultural visioning sessions involving more than 180 business, cultural, education, non-profit and government leaders. The sessions identified several themes which lay the groundwork for a refreshed cultural vision. They include how to:

attract greater participation in arts, cultural, and history/heritage activities,
- engage more residents,
- attract more visitors,
embrace and nurture the totality of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural community,
enliven, engage, and enrich communities and neighborhoods across Charlotte-Mecklenburg and
see that culturally-based lifelong learning opportunities thrive.

There will be additional opportunities for Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents to voice their opinion about the vision beginning February 2012 with town meetings throughout the county.

Additional announcements will be made in the coming months. For more information about cultural planning visit http://www.ArtsAndScience.org.

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Contacts
Krista Terrell | 704-335-3035
Aaron Fiedler | 704-335-3055

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