The city of Salisbury’s Cultural Action Plan Steering Committee will hold its second meeting Jan. 7 at City Hall.
The committee is exploring ways in which arts, cultural commerce and its respective creation can contribute to broadening civic goals in Salisbury.
The City Council adopted a resolution of intent in early September, providing the opportunity for creation of a cultural action plan.
Committee members meeting Nov. 15 for the first time reviewed the planning process and discussed how cultural planning and the development and strengthening of arts and cultural opportunities can benefit the local economy. Committee members believe the plan also can promoting understanding, respect and cohesiveness among diverse populations and assist with beautifying and reclaiming parts of the city.
Mayor Susan Kluttz thanked members of the committee appointed by the council who attended the November meeting.
“By nurturing and retaining artists, creative workers, the arts and cultural organizations, we will preserve and enhance a sense of place in Salisbury, while strengthening cultural commerce,” Kluttz said.
Members of the Cultural Action Plan steering committee, in addition to Kluttz, are Councilman Mark Lewis, City Staff Liaison Joe Morris, Connie Baker, Betz Bigelow, Phillip Burgess, Michele d’Hemecourt, James Donaldson, Sarah Hensley, David Fish, Paul Fisher, Cheryl Goins, Sarah Hall, Joanne Harrison, Faleese Jenkins, Rose Jones, Katie Lipscomb, James Meacham, Edward Norvell, Foster Owen, Barbara Perry, Eleanor Qadirah, Mark Ritchie, David Setzer and Marietta Smith.
Other city staff committee members include Gail Elder-White, Diana Moghrabi, Lynn Raker and Doug Paris.
Consultant Mary Berryman Agard, who has more than 20 years of experience in cultural and strategic planning, foundation management, civic dialogue, donor advising and nonprofit management, will guide the committee through the process of creating a cultural action plan.
At the November meeting, Agard explained to committee members that they will supposed to to systematically explore the area’s arts and aspirations, assets and needs. Through this evaluation, the team will appraise Salisbury’s sense of history and develop a clear understanding of how local history relates to community economics.Following a review of the City’s Vision 2020 comprehensive plan, committee members talked about the most powerful attributes shaping local community activity. Members suggested adding committee members who speak for populations not represented on the panel now.
One of three planned meetings for 2008, the Jan. 7 gathering will focus on group discussions, potential local interviews, a timeline for the plan and evaluation of community strengths the committee may harness to attract new or underserved audiences to Salisbury’s cultural activities.
The committee will present preliminary findings to City Council during the February 2008 Future Directions and Goals Setting retreat.
Committee members will ultimately be involved in the hands-on design of a cultural community event, culminating the findings of their cultural action plan process.
For more information regarding the Salisbury Cultural Action Plan process, contact Diana Moghrabi, 704-638-5240.