Hannah E. Jones
In recent years, Georgia has become a major player on the national arts scene, serving as a major hub for television and film, and is home to some of today’s most popular musicians. But how much of an impact could Georgia’s art scene have if there were more concerted efforts?
To answer that question, Gwinnett County is drafting its first arts and creative economy master plan— Create GwinnettOnce completed, the plan will be incorporated into the county’s 2050 Unified Plan, under which Gwinnett currently operates.
Create Gwinnett aims to promote more artistic opportunities, foster creative spaces, and support the arts economy, while enhancing and celebrating what makes Gwinnett unique. With approximately 75% of the county’s population in unincorporated areas – meaning only 25% of Gwinnett falls into the city – a comprehensive master plan is critical for the county’s creative industries to flourish.
Jonathan Holmes at a recent community engagement event. (Photo by Debbie Fitzgerald.)
The plan is being drafted by the nonprofit Artwork Gwinnett and consulting firms Lord Cultural ResourcesSo far, the program is about 65 percent complete, according to Artworks Gwinnett Chairman Jonathan Holmes.
Encourage anyone who lives, works or plays in Gwinnett Submit their comments via an online survey, open until Sunday, October. 16.
For Sherlock Holmes, success looks like a lot of things—a child honing their craft through a school curriculum, or a resident participating in a cultural event that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. The idea is not just to appease art lovers, but to create accessibility for all residents.
“We’re looking for opportunities,” Holmes said. “[We want] Individual citizens create a sense of space where they live. The goal is that people can create their own sense of community while also participating in the process of helping to care for everyone around them. “
He continued: “I look at Gwinnett a bit like [Disney’s] future world. I want people to be able to travel from village to village to experience art and culture. ”
During the drafting process, the team was looking for communities that had done a great job supporting their arts communities and had similar demographics to Gwinnett, including areas like Fairfax, Virginia, and Adams County, Colorado. and Vancouver, Canada.
people on site Aurora Theater, top arts institutions in Gwinnett and beyond, for the past 27 years, glad the county has come together to support the arts community. Aurora is considered a major contributor to the revitalization of downtown Lawrenceville.
“I’m very encouraged by the huge impact the Create Gwinnett master plan can provide,” said Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora co-founder and production art director. “At this moment, [its success] It really depends on whether the county is brave enough to make the investment. ”
Aurora’s director of sales and programming, Al Stilo, added that art is key to attracting outside tourists, which boosts the rest of the economy. 2020, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, Georgia’s arts and cultural production added $23.8 billion, or 3.8 percent, to the state’s economy.However, currently, Georgia at the lowest In terms of national arts funding, the average per capita is only 14 cents.
“Restaurants, shops and all businesses are being buoyed by the consumerism associated with the arts,” Stillo said. “We’re not asking for handouts or gifts; we’re asking for an investment in the community.”
The demand is there.For example, Broadway’s 2017/18 season attracted attendees of tomorrow More than 10 professional sports teams in New York and New Jersey combined.
Aurora offers camps, classes, and internships for students of all ages to hone their craft. (Photo courtesy of Aurora Theater.)
The team also wants the county to use its leadership to encourage children to be creative, support lesser-known ideas and strengthen diversity in the arts.
“We’ve always put the diverse talent on stage at the top of our list because every kid who walks into the Aurora needs to say, ‘They look like me,'” Pence said. “Two young black princesses came to Cinderella in white robes, blue sash and tiara. Show them a mirror image [themselves] Make one of these two children cry. “
Stillo reinforced that sentiment, adding that the county could set a standard for prioritizing the arts in and around Gwinnett.
“The more important art is to our leadership, the more important it is to our citizens,” Stillo said. “Increasingly, leadership recognizes the importance of the industry in every way – as a job creator, an economic driver, a social connecter and a place of beauty and joy. [Art] what will last. This is our legacy. “
To learn more about Create Gwinnett and leave your comments – open until October. 16—— Click here.