Community leaders hear report on arts and culture in meeting at Bay-Arenac ISD.
NEW ARTS FACILITY, PRESENCE OF ARTISTS,
RECOMMENDED BY CONSULTANT
Organizations Need to Work Together More, Link Facilities to Boost Economy
May 21, 2003
By: Dave Rogers
Bay City now has a blueprint for development of culture and the arts.
Louise Stevens, consultant from ArtSmart, the Montana firm which has been working with community leaders for many months, delivered an executive report of findingsand recommendations, on May 21 in a meeting of about 30 leaders at the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District administration building.
The most important recommendations were in the developmental category:
1) Create a new facility or facilities forthe arts in Bay City, ideally located in an existing historical building such as the central library or the train depot or as a new complex within the Riverfront development area.
2)Develop a vibrant presence of artists in Bay City.
3)Develop a cultural use fofr the Riverfront development area that links the watershed greenways with public arts spaces, public art, farmer's market and the history of Bay City. This recommendation includes a "facelift" for Wenonah Prk including permanent storage for equipment, a larger seating area for performances and a festival ground for craft fairs and public art.
4)Expand upon the historic preservation districts with larger tax increment financing districts, better signage and more historic preservation promotion.
5)Develop corridors leading into the city with signage, streetscapes and lighting.
6)Place public art downtown.
7)Do cultural planning to maximize impact on quality of life and the economy of the community.
Among other recommendations, the consultants said arts groups in the city should work together more, do "umbrella marketing," create more public awareness of the arts, work more with preK-12 students and beef up arts and culture programming.
Consultant Louise Stevens delivers her firm's recommendations for Bay City arts and culture.