65B - ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN

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Santa Ana Arts Future Community Arts and Cultural Master Plan feel the City should play the role of convener, working to build relationships with artists and organizations, integrating artists and creatives into the City's decision-making process, and providing access to and information about resources that can help build creative capacities. Residents and artists want to play a role in improving the City's streets and overall image. Ideas include having artists work with the City to beautify the streets and neighborhoods, activating public spaces and vacant lots with programming, and developing cultural hubs in areas such as South Main, the Santa Ana Zoo, and the Santa Ana Train Station area. Arts and cultural funding is seen as a longer-term goal and residents think the City can help to secure a dedicated funding stream. Experienced staff can explore innovative funding opportunities, secure funding for nonprofit organizations, and work with the City on arts and cultural events. Many participants expressed frustration with not knowing about arts, cultural, and creative events or activities in the city. People want improved access to information about events, performances, youth activities, neighborhood festivals, and arts learning opportunities (workshops, classes). They want existing organizations and the City to work together towards development of a one-stop shop for information about arts and creative happenings and resources. Assessing current marketing resources and exploring technology partnerships to create promotions that address how people get information can accomplish this goal. According to the survey, residents most often look for community information via direct communications from organizations, as well as social media, and word of mouth. The Creative Workforce Artists, creative entrepreneurs, and leaders from nonprofit organizations participated enthusiastically in the discussions. For artists, the needs revolve around community and City support. They seek better grant opportunities, professional practices training, programming and support for start-ups and entrepreneurial programs. Organizations, artists, and entrepreneurs want to work with the City to review and streamline permitting, zoning, and licenses for events and business establishment. Many participants made new acquaintances just by attending a "!n Santa Ana you meeting for this process and expressed the desire for more. This have to create your may include better connections through networking events to own path - this contributes to the improve their prospects for employment, finding new creative uniqueness of the projects, and engaging in artistic exchange. Ideas included creating community," a business association that works with all creative business and -Discussion group artists that help to nurture, educate, and empower. participant Arts and cultural organizations want more grants and funding options to facilitate their ability to provide arts programs for families; encouragement of partnerships and collaborations; and access to tools such as capacity building support systems, training workshops, and professional development. Many felt that the creation of a City arts agency could enable the implementation of some of these support programs. 17 65B-21