Art Alley at Sawyer Yards in Houston. Photo by Giselle Parra, via FreshArts.

Art Alley at Sawyer Yards in Houston. Photo by Giselle Parra, via FreshArts.

Insights & Takeaways

THIS IS WHAT WE’VE HEARD FROM FELLOW TEXANS
on how to lead successful creative placemaking projects.

Read more in ‘Texas State Enabling Environment for Creative Placemaking.’

WAYS TO

Build Successful Partnerships with Funders

 

“Sustaining partnerships are ones where you have supporters who are interested in building out additional programs. So, the more we can relate the arts to other initiatives, we can integrate it throughout.”

— JULIE CANDOLI
Director of Institutional Giving, Foundation Communities

 

  • Funding is often derived from more than one source, even for a single project.

  • The inclusion of creative placemaking won’t elevate an infeasible project, but it can take a proposal from good to great. 

  • Continuous funding for annual operating costs is needed for both community development and arts organizations to sustain creative placemaking work in the long-term.

  • Current funding opportunities are project-based, but looking to tie funding into other funding streams can jumpstart creative placemaking. 

  • Inserting creative placemaking into existing line items is a helpful practice.

  • An authentic, passionate investment in a project is the foundation for a strong partnership.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO

Convene Diverse Coalitions

“It's important to have a shared vision. When you're doing this work, you need to remember that people support what they help create.”

— DIETRICH JOHNSON
Community Services Administrator, City of Longview

 

  • Connecting diverse expertise helps build momentum for creative placemaking.

  • Creative placemaking requires removing personal and organizational egos in order to allow the community to tell its story.

  • It is essential to be genuine in intent, and flexible in practice with this work. 

  • It is important to value the input of artists that you bring to the table, financially and otherwise.

THE VALUE OF

Serving the Community

“Art and engagement becomes the sounding bord for what the community is, and what it can be. Especially to those who want to come in: it says, “You’re not moving to a new community, and the community is not coming to you. You’re coming to a well-established place with a rich history and story.”

— KATHY PAYTON
Executive Director, Fifth Ward Community
Redevelopment Corporation

 

  • Creative placemaking has different priorities and moves at a different pace than a typical community development organization. Practitioners should be aware that the goals, timelines, and pace of work to do creative placemaking work are long-term and constantly evolving.

  • Community developers are in the best position to do creative placemaking work because they’re not profit-driven, and are charged with serving the community. Thus, they are in a better position to try out innovative methods of community engagement.

STRATEGIES TO

Communicate the Value of the Arts

“Different languages need to be spoken depending on the audience, versus coming in with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.”

— BEN FYFFE
Managing Director of Cultural
Affairs & Recreation, City of El Paso

 

  • Once funders, community members, board members, and others experience the impact and outcomes of creative placemaking, they believe in it its value.

  • Some practitioners avoid using ‘creative placemaking’ because it doesn’t always resonate with stakeholders or community members.