Defining the City's Role in Arts

August 2017: The Arts in Healdsburg - A Community Conversation

The City of Healdsburg is initiating a process of working with the community to determine the City's and the community's role in encouraging and supporting the creative arts locally. As part of the City's effort, the City and Healdsburg Center for the Arts co-hosted a community conversation about the arts in Healdsburg on August 3, 2017. Approximately 50 members of the community attended and provided their input on the current status of the arts in Healdsburg and options for the future. The following is information from the meeting:

• Community Conversation on the Arts Presentation
• Community Conversation on the Arts Meeting Input (Summary) 

September 2017: City Council Presentation

On September 5, staff provided an update to City Council on the Community Conversation and input we received at the August Community Conversation. City Council directed staff to continue work. 

January 2018: Progress Update

The Tubbs Wildfire in October 2017 put much of the City's work on hold. Work began again in January 2018 with the Parks and Recreation Commission and community members to create a temporary art installation pilot program. 

July 2018: City Council Goal - Develop an Arts and Culture Master Plan

During goal setting for the upcoming year, City Council adopted the following goals and outcomes related to arts and culture:

Goals

• gather widespread input about the role of arts and culture in the life of the community 
• assess the economic impact of the arts
• provide data on how the Healdsburg compares to other cities in terms of supporting the arts,
•  explore opportunities for collaboration among organizations and businesses
• identify ways to foster and enhance the arts.

Outcomes

• Prepare a community based arts and culture plan that includes community workshops to gather widespread input on the desired arts and culture activities/programs
  
• Work with local organizations and business to explore opportunities to foster and enhance the arts
  
• Explore funding options to encourage artistic and cultural activities in the City and support community art

In support of this goal, City Council approved $75,000 to fund the development of an arts and culture plan as part of the Community Services budget.

June 2019 - July 2021: Arts and Culture Master Planning Process

In June 2019, the City entered into a Professional Services Agreement with the Cultural Planning Group (CPG) to help guide the community through the arts and culture master planning process. 34 community members served on a Creative Leadership Team (CLT) that acted as a steering committee and ensured the plan reflected the Healdsburg community. The CLT consisted of residents, artists, business owners, non-profit organizations representatives, educators, Healdsburg 2040 representatives, and Parks and Recreation commissioners. Additional community outreach included:

• 14 Creative Leadership Team meetings
• 45 targeted meetings/stakeholder interviews (100+ community members)
• 3 community townhalls
• 2 focus group discussion with Comité Corazón
• Panel discussion with Healdsburg students in grades 3-12
• Cultural arts and facilities field trip
• Presentations on the history and trends in public art and cultural facilities
• Community survey (526 responses)

Impacts from the 2019 Floods, the 2019 Kincade Wildfire, and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the master planning process, but the Creative Leadership Team and the overall community’s perseverance through the delays and vision for a brighter arts and cultural future helped to strengthen the plan and better represent where we are as a community today.

August 2021: Arts and Culture Master Plan Adoption

City Council adopted Healdsburg's first ever Arts and Culture Master Plan outlining five major goals:

• Build the Structural Foundation for Arts and Culture 

• Enrich Cultural Experiences for Our Community and Our Visitors

•  Foster and Grow an Inclusive Creative Economy 

• Advance Art in the Public Realm 

• Support Development of Arts and Cultural Spaces 

April 2023: Public Art Grants

As part of the City's efforts to foster and enhance our creative community, the City announced the first Public Art Grant Program in 2023. This program is one of the outcomes of the Arts and Culture Master Plan and marks the City's dedicated financial commitment to supporting the arts community. Eligible applicants included local artists, creators, and non-profit organizations interested in expanding the role of arts in our community. 

March - December 2024: Creation of the Arts and Culture Commission

In March 2024, City Council adopted a FY24-25 goal of creating an Arts and Culture Commission. During the summer, staff developed criteria for a proposed Arts and Culture Commission structure, and in October 2024, City Council passed an ordinance that created the City's first Arts and Culture Commission. Recruitment for the Commission followed, and appointments to the Commission are expected to be made in November, with Commissioner orientation in December, and the first Commission meeting in January 2025.