Simplified: A recent survey related to the city's ongoing arts and culture strategic plan found that as many as 9 in 10 Sioux Falls residents support the city allocating public funds for arts and culture programs. It's all part of the findings an Arizona-based consultant shared earlier this week.
Why it matters
- The Sioux Falls City Council on Monday got its first update on the first-ever city-led arts and culture plan. So far, it's been a lot of information gathering, including a citywide look at public art, performance spaces, museums, galleries and all things creative.
- Consultant Alex Keen told councilors the plan, which is expected to be finalized later this spring, will help the city make decisions and guide strategy about supporting the arts. Keen said the arts are infrastructure, and, like any other infrastructure, it requires planning.
- Early themes from that feedback include a desire to see more art outside of downtown, more affordable space for creating, rehearsing and performing, and more support overall for local artists.
"You have strong support in this community for arts and culture," Keen said. "The community wants more."
Tell me more
It's worth noting that the city does already spend some tax money in arts and culture.
- The presentation from Keen Independent Research came on the same day the city approved the first of its contracts as part of the new Community Partners Program – allocating a combined $135,000 for Levitt at the Falls and SculptureWalk. Arts and culture were one of the three main priorities in the city's contributions to local nonprofits.
As for the strategic plan, the first step was to get feedback from both the public and stakeholders in the arts community.
- Consultants over the last few months conducted interviews and focus groups with dozens of people, hosted a public information session with 90 attendees and collected more than 670 survey responses.
Arts Commission Chair Jennifer Smith Hoesing told councilors she's so pleased to see the level of community engagement in the planning process because it's a way to not only build trust, but also build a sense of shared responsibility with the final plan when it's ready.
"That helps to create long-term outcomes that are strong for the community and not just creating a strong plan that lives on a shelf," Hoesing said.
What happens next?
Consultants will now take all of the information and input from stakeholders to put the strategic plan together – including specific recommendations for the City Council.
The council will then vote on whether to approve the plan once it's finalized.
