Texas State Enabling Environment for Creative Placemaking

Texas Association of Community Development Corporations (TACDC), Texans for the Arts, Civic Arts, 2021

The TXCPI started when the Texas Association of Community Development Corporations, Texans for the Arts, and Civic Arts were asked in 2020-2021 on the behalf of the National Alliance of Community and Economic Development Association to write the Texas State Enabling Environment for Creative Placemaking white paper. The research explored the enabling and ‘dis-enabling’ environment for the use of creative placemaking strategies in community development activities in Texas.

Key insights that were learned about the work that needs to happen in Texas:

We need a common language within a community of practice

The term ‘creative placemaking / placekeeping’ is not ubiquitous or universally used in either the community development or cultural arts sectors in Texas, even when describing arts-based community development work. Some stakeholders and communities are also skeptical of the term.

It is essential to share knowledge

Practitioners who are using creative placemaking in community development work in Texas are generally doing so in relative isolation from any broader state-level conversation on creative placemaking. No network or resource exists in Texas that would allow practitioners to share about existing projects and lessons learned in the state.

Financial support is needed

Although interviewees have been able to piece together funding to support creative placemaking projects, there is no existing state-level funding program that is specifically identified for creative placemaking projects.