Creative place making, and cultural programming are becoming increasingly popular economic development strategies. Neighborhoods and local cultural organizations are banding together to transform their cultural attributes into celebrations that attract people into the area. Cultural programming has been shown to help revitalize communities by increasing economic investment and strengthening social ties among residents. Creative place making also brings people into an area, helping reduce crime and improve the perception of safety in a neighborhood. Cultural programming can take many forms, including: festivals, monthly arts and music events, open studio sessions, celebrations of cultural and ethnic experiences unique to an area.
BENEFITS:
ENVIRONMENTAL:
- Communities carrying out cultural programs may be more likely to embrace historic structures in the community. This can catalyze preservation / rehabilitation of the structures, diverting building materials from landfills and reducing the need for new building materials.
EQUITY - Many cultural events are free, and no one is excluded due to prohibitive costs.
• These events can provide individuals with the opportunity to experience a culture other than their own, helping facilitate cross-cultural understanding. - ECONOMIC
• Cultural programming introduces people to new neighborhoods and districts. New programs and events can spur the creating of jobs
and increased spending in an area. After the events, attendees may be more likely to return to aneighborhood and patronize the businesses.
• In the long term, these events can help attract new residents and businesses to the area.