Three times in the past 40 years, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community has engaged in a planning process to chart the course for our local art, science and history community.  The first cultural action plan in 1976 led to institutions and facilities the community now holds dear – Spirit Square, Discovery Place, the Afro-American Cultural Center (now the Harvey B. Gantt Center), the NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – as well as the Arts & Science Council we know today.  1991’s plan resulted in the increased annual private sector fundraising as well as the 1995 endowment campaign that now forms the core of the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust.  In 1998, the plan called for increased program funding at the neighborhood and community level as well as more emphasis on individual artists and adding history to ASC’s mission.  These plans have served our community well.

Today, residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg believe vibrant cultural opportunity not only nourishes the creative spirit in all of us, but connects us to each other and makes Charlotte-Mecklenburg a better place.  When people love where they live the level of pride is deep and attachment to the community strong. When people are attached to their community they are more vested in its growth and prosperity.  We believe a vibrant cultural life is an essential ingredient in Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s future prosperity.

Earlier this year, the Arts & Science Council (ASC), in its role of cultural planner for Charlotte-Mecklenburg, launched a cultural visioning process to find new ways to make Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural opportunities more valued and more vital to all those who live and visit here.  Our work began by defining in what ways Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural life could – and should – grow stronger.  These three challenges emerged as our primary focal points.

1. How can Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural opportunities become more relevant and valuable in the lives of all residents and visitors?
2. What can be done to see that all Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s creative enterprise thrives?
3. How do we continually expand the impacts of a healthy cultural sector?

Guided by community leaders, informed by comprehensive public inputs, and designed with the ingenuity of the cultural sector, the cultural vision plan will be presented by ASC in Spring 2012.  It will include the cultural sector’s and ASC’s roles as well as what assistance and resources will be required.

Why would Charlotte-Mecklenburg engage in a planning process now?

The country, with a curious eye, has watched as we revitalized as well as designed and built beautiful new cultural facilities.  We were envied as we enriched the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust to ensure the fiscal future is built on a firm foundation.

It is time now that Charlotte-Mecklenburg looks ahead and plans for the next decade.  Cultural tourism, cultural programming, art, history, and science in our schools, attendance and quality of performances, and attracting and retaining the creative class are a few opportunities we need to address.  We have been an icon in the cultural arena of the South and we must continue onward.  We can think of no better time to reconnect around this very special economic development driver.