It’s Here! The 2020 Macon Cultural Plan is Complete!
Monday, August 3rd, 2020
Recognizing the potential of arts and culture to drive community connection and economic growth, the 2020 Macon Cultural Plan aims to increase arts access and engagement across Central Georgia. The plan provides a five-year blueprint specific to the cultural arts sector to guide public and private investments and broad initiatives needed to strengthen quality of life, stimulate creative industries, and expand cultural tourism.
The plan was funded by a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and led by a community partnership including Bibb County School District, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, Macon Arts Alliance, Macon-Bibb County, Mercer University, the Museum of Arts and Sciences, and Visit Macon. The global firm Lord Cultural Resources served as consultants for the plan.
“Across the country, for decades, communities have seen decreases in public funding for arts and culture, despite the many benefits that they bring,” said Priya Sircar, Director of Arts at Knight Foundation. “A community-wide planning process maps out the path forward and lays the groundwork for success by incorporating different perspectives into a shared vision,”
“Macon’s cultural assets are what makes Macon unique – the red clay-inspired sculptures and pottery, visual and performing arts experiences, and the creative businesses that are working with Macon industry to re-form the way that Macon does business,” said Joy Bailey Bryant of Lord Cultural Resources. “All of this is wrapped in soul-stirring music recognized around the world—soul, rock, strings to hip-hop—whatever moves you, Macon’s got it.”
A Steering Committee of over 50 Arts, Cultural, and Community organizations led the development of the plan, which focuses on the vision that Macon’s ethnic, cultural, and creative diversity is key to ensuring equity and economic prosperity. The five strategic priorities identified in the plan are Tourism, Education, Creative Industries, Neighborhood Development, and Audience Cultivation.
“We now have an actionable vision that leverages our assets and aspirations for the benefit of all,” said Susan Welsh, Executive Director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences and co-chair of the Steering Committee. “With a broad spectrum of organizations and leaders involved, the plan represents the most dynamic cultural planning process in the history of our city – and offers the arts as a powerful collective tool to capture spirit, solve problems, and amplify our investments.”
Macon Arts Alliance is charged with leading a Cultural Task Force of stakeholders that will oversee implementation of the plan.
“In light of the impact of COVID-19 on the arts and cultural landscape, we believe the plan is more important than ever,” said Julie Wilkerson, Executive Director of Macon Arts Alliance and co-chair of the Steering Committee. “The priorities and strategies outlined in the plan will focus our resources on common goals and give our artists, arts organizations, and cultural institutions a united voice”.
