HOW CAN MADISON BECOME A STRONGER CENTER FOR INNOVATION?

That's the question being explored in the City of Madison's first cultural planning process. Explore the Madison Cultural plan website to learn what the plan is all about, which creative efforts are included in the idea of culture at the heart of the plan, when and where planning activities will take place, why the the plan is important to Madison's residents, businesses and visitors, and how any resident can get involved.

WHAT IS A CULTURAL ARTS PLAN?

A cultural plan is a community decision-making process that seeks ways to better support and utilize creative work. Cultural plans explore resident’s preferences, the adequacy of public and private structures that support creativity and innovation, and identify specific action steps that can make the community’s creative portfolio stronger, more accessible, more sustainable and more diverse.
WHOSE CREATIVE WORK IS INCLUDED IN MADISON’S CULTURAL PLAN?
The Madison Cultural Plan will explore the arts, history, and the sciences and will include exploration of the work of individual artists and creative workers as well as institutions in both the commercial and nonprofit sectors. The plan intentionally defines culture broadly. It includes, for example, individuals and organizations who are students, amateurs, and professionals working in such varied fields as artisan food production; digital production; architecture; history and heritage; traditional, experimental; and fine arts; scientific research; software and hardware development; advertising; publishing; gardening; entertainment, environmental programming; and so forth. If creative content drives the work an individual or organization does, it is included in this plan.
WHY IS THE CULTURAL PLAN IMPORTANT TO MADISON?
Creativity and innovation have long been major drivers of Madison’s unique character and its economic base. They are woven into our sense of place. Just as it is important to plan the ways in which the city supports neighborhoods, it is important to plan the ways in which it’s policies and resources support creativity and innovation.

• What is Madison’s vision for its arts and cultural future?
• What arts and cultural opportunities do residents want for themselves and for their children?
• How can broad access to opportunities in creative play, learning, and work be promoted?
• Are we making the best use of our public and private facilities?
• What structures and resources are necessary to strengthen and sustain our creative community?

The planning process will include research; GIS mapping; surveying; conducting interviews, focus groups, roundtables, and public hearings; and working with a local Steering Committee in the formulation of recommendations for action.

GETTING INVOLVED

Learn more about how you can get involved. Your voice is important. There are opportunities to complete surveys, participate in public meetings, and even conduct your own discussion groups with peers, friends, or co-workers. The strength of the plan relies on the willingness of residents, artists and creative workers, and creative institutions, commercial and nonprofit, to participate. Check the Get Involved page; it’s fun!

WHO IS CONDUCTING THE CULTURAL PLANNING PROCESS?

The City of Madison has retained Mary Berryman Agard & Associates and partners Vandewalle &  Associates, and Robert Bush to conduct the cultural plan.
 The City of Madison staff person leading this effort is
 Karin Wolf, Arts Program Administrator
Madison Arts Commission
Department of Planning, Community & Economic Development
Madison Municipal Building
215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Madison WI 53701-2985
608.261.9134
KWolf@cityofmadison.com