The Arts & Culture Collective of Grand Rapids is launching a year-long initiative to develop a regional long-range arts and culture strategy, strengthening its creative ecosystem and guiding investments.
“The ultimate goal is to have a strategy that is adopted by the city and the county and by the community itself that says, ‘Hey, here’s what we want to see in our arts and culture sector. Here’s how we want to use the arts. Here’s how we want to collaborate. Here’s where we’re all going.’”
Steff Rosalez is co-chair of the ACCGR. She says the recent loss of arts and cultural institutions, as well as the loss of funding, is cause for concern for an area economically driven by the arts.
“Our UICA left. Our Festival for the Arts folded, along with some other smaller organizations.”
Rosalez says throughout the summer, residents will be invited to participate through community surveys, pop-up events, and workshops.
“This is the direction we want to go and here’s the strategy and the roadmap so that we’re all on the same page, working together as a broader community, to make sure the arts and culture sector is successful.”
The final strategy launches early 2027 for public and partner review.
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