65B - ARTS AND CULTURE MASTER PLAN

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Santa Ana Arts Future Community Arts and Cultural Master Plan The National Endowment for the Arts uses arts economist Ann Markusen's definition of creative placemaking. She asserts that in creative placemaking, public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors partner to strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, tribe, city, or region around arts and cultural activities. "[Creative placemaking is] ... the intentional use of arts and culture to shape the physical, social, and economic future of communities, which strengthens economic development, promotes civic engagement, and contributes to quality of life. In short, art is a verb, and creative placemaking is using art to change a place." - Kimberly Driggins, former associate planning director, District of Columbia Santa Ana has all the elements for creative placemaking already at its disposal: working artists in a variety of creative sectors, public sector organizations dedicated to strengthening quality of life and community engagement, a collaborative spirit, a city of neighborhoods and areas in which placemaking can be developed, and residents who are enthusiastic participants. Placekeeping, on the other hand, addresses the importance of honoring the cultural lives of the community, of making sure the cultural history is protected and preserved. Jess Solomon, Executive Director of Arts in Praxis suggests, "Placekeeping has been described as the active care and maintenance of a place and its social fabric by the people who live and work there. It is not just preserving buildings but keeping the cultural memories associated with a locale alive, while supporting the ability of local people to maintain their way of life as they choose." Often there are concerns that creative placemaking initiatives will lead to gentrification, tourism or development. These concerns are not unwarranted and should be addressed as part of the process through municipal zoning, development and housing policies, as well as through carefully designed community and stakeholder engagement efforts. Public Art In Santa Ana, public art is a priority for residents for multiple reasons, "We want to see art including city beautification; engaging youth with mural art; showcasing integrated into the national, regional, and local artists; addressing public safety; and everyday in our activating public spaces. Santa Ana residents are proud of the city's city." ,-Discussion group history and heritage and want to express this in tangible, visible ways. participant Many see the definition of public art as permanent art installed in public spaces, but the definition and impact of public art on a community is much broader. Public art is a community investment in creativity that shapes, enhances, and activates public spaces. In its best realization, public art has the power to transform communities, invigorate and energize their populations, inspire passion and enthusiasm about the built environment, and engender communal ownership in artworks and the neighborhood at large. Public art has turned communities from anonymous series of spaces into rich landscapes reflecting history, embracing and honoring cultural differences, and teaching social values. Public art moves beyond improving aesthetic quality within neighborhoods and communities, by reinforcing social connections and fostering improved health outcomes. 20 65B-24