CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An arts and culture plan is in the works for the city of Charlotte. The goal is to bring growth and revenue to the area by supporting artists and their work.
Creating the plan will not only bring funding to artists in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, but city council members said it’ll also help shape the Queen City's future success.
Whether it’s a statue, a mural, or live theatre – the arts attract residents and tourists that help boost the local economy.
Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari told WCNC Charlotte the plan is an economic opportunity, "to grow a very special eco-system that gives a city a lot of its vibe and culture, as well as attract other businesses."
In fact, the national Bureau of Economic Analysis found that arts and cultural industries added $16.5 billion to North Carolina’s economy in 2020.
City council members voiced support for the arts and culture plan in Monday night’s council meeting. However, some, including Bokhari, worried the strategy lacks structure.
“We’ve neglected our duty which is: What’s the vision?" Bokhari asked. "What direction do we want to point them in? What outcomes do we want to achieve."
While the council determines the plan's vision, city staff and partners are gaining public insight from artists on what is and isn't working well in Charlotte's art scene.
On a virtual feedback forum Tuesday, Charlotte musician Friday Jones said she wishes there was more respect for artists as legitimate business owners.
"Arts and tourism go hand in hand, and tourism and the economy go hand in hand," Jones added.
She hopes the plan will lead to more collaborative efforts between the city and artists, while others called for more affordable studio space and events.
For example, Charlotte artist Caitlin Morris said she thinks, "the cost to participate in opportunities seems very disproportionate” compared to other cities she has lived in.
City staff and partners are taking this feedback and using it to shape their strategies and goals for the Arts and Culture Plan.
Planning is expected to wrap up in Spring 2023. The guide will be used to shape city policies and funding for arts and culture projects once it's approved by city council.
There are a few more opportunities for public input coming up in October:
- Oct. 5: Workshop for educators and education policymakers to talk about arts education.
- Oct. 12: Workshop for grassroots cultural groups and nonprofits, and neighborhood organizations to talk about community arts.
- Oct. 13: Workshop for musicians, producers, performers of all music genres, representatives of music venues and spaces, people involved in live and/or recorded music, and others.
People that are interested in participating in any of the above workshops can register online through the city of Charlotte's website.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.