The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook

8-1/2" x 11", softcover, 261 pages, Fieldstone Alliance, $35.95. Table of Contents Read an excerpt Order now

Art and culture can be powerful catalysts for downtown revitalization.

Let The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook provide the strategies, best practices, and step-by-step guidance you need to put the power of arts and culture to work in your community.

The first part of the book summarizes emerging ideas and research behind culturally driven community development. It explains key principles that underlie this work and that will help you argue the case for creative community building.

The second part of the book discusses 10 concrete strategies for community revitalization. Each approach is illustrated by two case studies from a variety of cities and towns across the United States. The range of examples provides a menu of things that are possible to bring significant change to your community. These include examples of cultural tourism, artists live/work zones, diversifying the economy, activating public spaces, cultural celebrations and festivals, developing civic pride, and more

The examples are followed by a step-by-step guide to assessing, planning, and implementing these types of projects.

The final chapter includes important tips for securing the funding, public policy support, and media coverage needed to make these projects a success.

By understanding the research, learning from the case studies, and following the action steps, you will be able to make positive arts and culture based change in your community.

Detailed guidance, helpful worksheets, sample timelines, budgets and agendas will guide you through the entire process.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Creative Community Building

Part 1: Ideas Behind This Book

Chapter 1 — The Role of Culture in Community Building

• Community, culture, art, economics, and place
• Culture, social change, and community development

Part 2: Ten Economic and Social Development Strategies

Chapter 2 — Building Strong Economies through Arts and Culture

• Strategy 1 Create jobs
• Strategy 2 Stimulate trade through cultural tourism
• Strategy 3 Attract investment by creating live/work zones for artists
• Strategy 4 Diversify the local economy
• Strategy 5 Improve property and enhance value
• Best practices in building strong economies through arts and culture

Chapter 3 — Building Social Connections through Arts and Culture

• Strategy 6 Promote interaction in public space
• Strategy 7 Increase civic participation through cultural celebrations
• Strategy 8 Engage youth
• Strategy 9 Promote stewardship of place
• Strategy 10 Broaden participation in the civic agenda
• Best practices in using arts and culture to build social connections

Part 3: Steps for Creative Community Builders

Chapter 4 — Step 1: Assess Your Situation and Goals

• Task 1.1 Define the community
• Task 1.2 Identify your strengths and leadership capacity
• Task 1.3 Identify community assets
• Task 1.4 Clarify values and goals
• Task 1.5 Write a concept paper
• Task 1.6 Review readiness

Chapter 5 — Step 2: Identify and Recruit Effective Partners

• Task 2.1 Identify potential partners
• Task 2.2 Develop expectations for potential partners
• Task 2.3 Recruit partners

Chapter 6 — Step 3: Map Values, Strengths, Assets, and History

• Task 3.1 Hold the first meeting to establish commitment
• Task 3.2 Build group cohesion
• Task 3.3 Identify assets
• Task 3.4 Create a map of community assets
• Task 3.5 Invite contributions from the larger community

Chapter 7 — Step 4: Focus on Your Key Asset, Vision, Identity, and Core Strategies

• Task 4.1 Review data and narrow list of top community assets
• Task 4.2 Choose a key community asset
• Task 4.3 Envision the future
• Task 4.4 Develop core strategies based upon your vision
• Task 4.5 Name your identity

Chapter 8 — Step 5: Craft a Plan That Brings the Identity to Life

• Task 5.1 Create outcomes
• Task 5.2 Set goals
• Task 5.3 Attach measures to outcome targets
• Task 5.4 Generate a list of activities
• Task 5.5 Organize action steps and resource needs into a plan
• Task 5.6 Celebrate your work!

Chapter 9 — Securing Funding, Policy Support, and Media Coverage

• Tips to Secure Funding
• Tips for Shaping Public Policy
• Tips for Getting Helpful Media Coverage

Glossary
References to Organizations and Agencies
Bibliography
Index

Your Guarantee of Satisfaction

The Creative Community Builder’s Handbook is guaranteed. If you are not 100% satisfied, you may return it within 30 days for a full refund.

About the Author

Tom Borrup has been a leader and innovator in nonprofit cultural and community development work for over 25 years. His consulting, writing, and teaching explore intersections between culture, art, community building, civic engagement, urban design, town planning, and the use of public space.

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