HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-24 21-195 Order
05/24/202121-195
05/24/2021
21-195
Community & Economic Development
Order
N/A
Title, Order
Accepting and Adopting an Arts and Cultural Policy
This Order will approve the policy submitted by the Commission on Cultural Development. In 2004
the City created the Commission on Cultural Development to promote the development of Bangor as
a regional arts center. Section 95-6 of the Code of the City of Bangor directs the Commission on
Cultural Development to draft an Arts and Cultural Policy “using a five year vision statement and
strategic objectives”. The policy is to identify features important to a positive economic environment
for artists, identify a balance between the need for arts and culture and the needs of the community,
and assess the impact on our cultural assets. The Commission then reports the draft policy to the
Bangor City Council, which has the sole authority to adopt, reject, or revise it.
The policy as presented would:
- Update the mission and vision, and add a diversity statement.
- Focus funding work on the grant process and minimize focus on external fundraising.
- Develop and maintain a digital presence for cultural assets such as Story Maps.
- Maintain subcommittees dedicated to ARTober, cultural assets, and grant review, and others as
needed.
The Commission on Cultural Development unanimously recommended approval of this policy their
May 7, 2021 meeting. The item was reviewed and recommended for approval at the Business and
Economic Development Committee meeting on May 18, 2021.
Business & Economic Development Committee
05/18/2021
Recommend for passage
50
Consent
05/24/202121-195
CITY OF BANGOR ORDER
05/24/2021
21-195
Schaefer
Accepting and Adopting an Arts and Cultural Policy
WHEREAS, The City of Bangor has created the Commission on Cultural Development; and
WHEREAS, the Code of the City of Bangor directs the Commission on Cultural Development to prepare an Arts
and Cultural Policy; and
WHEREAS, the Commission on Cultural Development has prepared a policy and submitted it to the City
Council of the City of Bangor for consideration.
Now therefore, be it ordered by the City Council of the City of Bangor that the Arts and Cultural Policy
submitted by the Commission on Cultural Development and attached hereto is hereby accepted and adopted
by the City Council of the City of Bangor.
IN CITY COUNCIL
MAY 24,2021
CO 21-195
Motion made and seconded for Passage
Councilors Voting Yes: Davitt,Dubay,Fournier,Hawes,Nichols, Schaefer, Sprague,Tremble
Councilors Voting No: None
Passed
CI Y LERK
21-195
MAY 24, 2021
ARTS AND CULTURE POLICY
Mission Statement: To support and promote the arts and culture of Bangor as a
means to enhance economic development and the vitality of the community.
Vision Statement: The Commission on Cultural Development will create and
maintain a comprehensive digital database of known cultural assets which will be
readily available to citizens and visitors alike. Bangor will have a well developed
month long program/festival (ARTober) devoted to the arts. The Commission will
continue to review semi-annually grant requests from established arts and
cultural organizations as well as individual artists. There will be a system to
publicize these projects.
Diversity Statement: As stewards of the cultural assets of Bangor, the
Commission on Cultural Development seeks to honor the diverse cultural
backgrounds of its citizens and will undertake to represent the diversity of the
community in its work as well as providing assistance to make the area's cultural
assets available to all citizens.
Value Statement:
• We believe the arts are essential to human existence.
• We believe in the power of artists working cooperatively as a community -
for economic viability, support, feedback, and the nurturing of new ideas.
• We value our role as a community resource and as a vehicle for
communication for artists, the community and city staff.
• We believe in artistic excellence and all forms of creative engagement.
• We strive to support artists at all stages of their careers from diverse
communities, artistic genres, and traditions.
• We believe that the arts are an important part of the economy of our city
and strive to encourage the growth of this economic sector through
advocacy, marketing, funding and education.
BACKGROUND
The City of Bangor created a Commission on Cultural Development (CCD, or the
Commission) in November of 2004 with the charge to "promote the development of
Bangor as a regional arts center that nurtures the artistic and cultural expression of its
diverse peoples." (Bangor City Ordinances, Chapter 23, Section 18) The Commission
has authorization to assess Bangor's cultural needs, develop and maintain a
comprehensive Arts and Cultural Policy, review grant applications and public art
requests, and work with the community to identify and encourage opportunities for the
incubation of promising arts and cultural enterprises.
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Since its inception, the CCD has recommended that the City award grants to cultural
institutions and individual artists throughout Bangor. The financial impact of the funds
thus provided encourages growth and sustains creative industries, enterprises, and
workforces in Bangor. Individual artists and cultural organizations are integral to the
identity of the City, contributing to the economic vitality of the community. The CCD
uses "artists" in broad terms to encompass all varieties of creators of culture.
SECTION 1: FUNDING/GRANTS
]Fhe Commission on Cultural Development is responsible for reviewing grant requests
and making award recommendations to the City Council. Recommending grant funding
is a major focus of the Commission and the majority of the City's annual budget
allocation to the CCD shall be used for this purpose.
Each year, the Commission and/or a subcommittee thereof will:
• Review grant applications and propose funding to City Council
• Review grant application form and rubric and make recommendations for any
changes
• With approval of City Council, consider and seek outside grants (e.g. Maine Arts
Commission, National Endowment), as deemed appropriate.
SECTION 2: ADVOCACY
The Commission on Cultural Development advises the City Council on matters
pertaining to Bangor arts and culture. The Commission seeks to advance decisions and
policies conducive to a flourishing arts community and to heighten City leaders and the
public's awareness of the economic impact and cultural value of the arts. As part of its
advocacy efforts, the Commission will assist, whenever feasible, efforts to publicize
upcoming events and will encourage collaborations among Bangor's organizations and
individual artists. Marketing of arts and cultural events in the City of Bangor will continue
to be the responsibility of individual organizations. Given the importance of the arts to
the community, the Cultural Commission will assist individuals, organizations, and
businesses, whenever possible, to promote the City's vibrant arts scene. Additionally,
the Commission will cooperate with the Maine Arts Commission to facilitate workshops
and other endeavors to assist individual artists and organizations.
Each year, the Commission and/or a subcommittee thereof will:
• Develop and maintain a digital presence including a series of Story Maps
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MAY 24, 2021
• Design and facilitate ARTober, a month -long celebration of the arts
• Widely communicate availability of grant money for individual artists and
organizations for artistic projects
• Seek opportunities to bring outside groups, organizations and stakeholders to
the table in an effort to enhance the cultural offerings in Bangor
• Educate City Council, the public and stakeholder groups on the importance and
impact of a vibrant arts and culture scene
• Advise City Council on matters pertaining to Bangor arts and culture, including
advocating for comprehensive and cohesive planning.
• Strengthen connections between the City and Bangor's cultural community
through streamlined messaging and improved communication
• Contribute to data analysis efforts on artistic events, organizations and the
cultural environment
• Identify and promote opportunities for collaboration between artists and cultural
organizations
SECTION 3: CULTURAL VIBRANCY
The Commission seeks to encourage and highlight the cultural vitality of Bangor as a
whole. In addition to its roles in connecting individual artists and arts organizations to
city funding opportunities, and in educating stakeholders on the impact and value of the
arts in Bangor, the Commission will seek to increase the vibrancy and visibility of arts
events and opportunities in the region. It will: take an active role in cataloging,
publicizing and maintaining the city's physical cultural assets; support efforts of artists
and arts organizations to connect with one another; and it will work to highlight the arts
in the region through myriad channels.
Each year, the Commission and/or a subcommittee thereof will:
• Maintain committees dedicated to ARTober, cultural assets and grant review, as
well as others as needed
• Facilitate an annual, month -long ARTober celebration
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MAY 24, 2021
• Maintain database of cultural assets
• Create and maintain Story Maps, to be made available on the City website
• Build coalition between individual artists and arts organizations, for the purpose
of planning and publicizing arts events and opportunities
Approved by Cultural Commission on May 7, 2021
Adopted by City Council on May 24, 2021