ARTS + CULTURE FRAMEWORK
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
PHASE l: Define Success
In 2014, a grassroots group of leaders within Santa Barbara County’s cultural sector came together to discuss the health and future sustainability of the industry. With funding support from the Santa Barbara Foundation, WolfBrown, a San Francisco-based consulting agency, was hired to develop goals and a road map. WolfBrown and volunteers from the Creative Communities Committee conducted interviews and focus groups with stakeholders countywide, with leadership from the County Arts Commission and City of Santa Barbara Arts Advisory Committee.
The results of these interview were compiled into a report identifying 3 primary indicators of a thriving arts and culture sector:
1. Creatively engaged people and neighborhoods
2. A strong pool of cultural practitioners, and a sustainable infrastructure of cultural institutions
3. Supportive public sector policies and goals
Phase ll: Identify the Barriers
In Phase II, Evaluation Specialists Consulting conducted countywide quantitative surveys of Santa Barbara County residents. Interviews were conducted in 28 different locations in both English and Spanish. The goals of the survey were to:
1. Assess the creative and cultural activities Santa Barbara County residents engage in
2. Identify barriers that inhibit residents from engaging in creative and cultural activities
3. Use the data collected to identify opportunities to improve access to, resources for, and expand understanding about creative and cultural activities and opportunities.
Phase lll: Plan for the Future
Phase III represents 20 dynamic convenings and conversations open to all cultural affiliates throughout Santa Barbara County. Patrick Bolek of momentum projectlab incorporated the outcomes from the previous phases to guide this process, which culminated in a day-long strategic planning session at Lake Cachuma. This will serve as the Countywide Arts + Culture Framework.
Funding for this project is provided by generous grants from:
