The plan’s purpose is to enrich and promote arts and culture throughout Redlands.

Community members’ input will inform a shared vision and goals for arts and culture, including fostering economic growth.

COMMUNITY SURVEY

CLICK HERE to access the community survey

PROJECT INFORMATION

Timeline

Jun – Aug 2024                   Project start-up

Sept – Nov 2024                Community engagement and listening

Dec 2024 – Mar 2025       Draft plan and community review

Apr – Jun 2025                   Final plan and adoption

Participation Opportunities

October Community Workshops

Community Survey (Opens in October)

Sign Up Here to be notified of upcoming events

Background and Purpose

In February 2019, the City Council approved a recommendation by the Cultural Arts Commission to appropriate funds for an Arts Economic Impact Study and accepted a donation in the amount of $3,500 from the Redlands Arts Collaborative (RAC) to assist with funding. RAC consists of representatives from Redlands cultural arts groups and is a community-based organization that collaborates to support individual and collective goals. The purpose of an economic impact study is to analyze the economic that the nonprofit arts sector and public art adds to the community.

Americans for the Arts was selected as a consultant to prepare the economic study in accordance with the City’s purchasing guidelines. However, due to the cancellations of events and temporary closures of some organizations due to global health concerns and COVID pandemic, the completion of the study was delayed. With the assistance of RAC representatives, the American’s for the Arts was able to complete the study in late 2021.

The study prepared for the City of Redlands incorporates the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 National Study (AEP5 Study), published in 2017. It is the most comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted. The AEP5 Study documented the economic contributions of the arts in 341 communities and regions across the country, representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The total economic impact for Redlands from nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences was $14.2 million. They also supported 416 full-time equivalent jobs, with over $609,000 in revenue generated for local government and $3.4 million in event-related expenditures.

On September 13, 2021, the Commission also recommended that the City Council direct staff to procure the services of a consultant to develop an Arts and Culture Master Plan (Plan) and designate funding in the amount of $100,000. The Commission views the Plan as a necessary tool to ensure that art is promoted and utilized in a cohesive and intentional manner throughout the community.

What is Cultural Planning

A cultural plan assesses the state of the arts, culture and the creative sector in the city. It identifies community priorities and opportunities, and addresses inequities. And it develops a shared vision with goals and strategies to achieve that vision.

“Cultural planning helps us to think, plan and act differently and focuses us all on what is distinctive and special about where we live. Going with the grain of a local culture helps us create better places.” – Charles Landry, The Creative City

Planning Team

City staff:

Tricia Swope, Manager, Facilities & Community Services

Salomon Abdel-Aziz, Management Analyst, Facilities & Community Services

Joe Bierma, Administrative Analyst

Cultural Arts Commission:

Daniel Gohman, Chair

Margo Mullen

Dennis Christensen

Dan Rodriquez

Edie Punt

Rick Cummings

Consulting Team

Cultural Planning Group:

David Plettner-Saunders, Partner

Linda Flynn, Ph.D., Partner & Research Director

Arts Connection –Arts Council of San Bernardino County:

Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez, Executive Director

Jennifer Kane, past Executive Director

Kearns & West:

Taylor Funderburk

Robin Gilliam

Bushra Bangee