Use Arts-Based Community Development Tools

Are you interested in using arts and culture to make your town, borough or neighborhood a better place to live and work?

Based on our work over the past six years in communities across the Greater Philadelphia region we suggest 4 steps to help you get your arts-based community development initiative started.

Step 1 – Look at other ABCD initiatives. Don’t reinvent the wheel!
The Cultural Alliance has created a repository of arts-based community development efforts in our region and around the country. Check Out ABCD Initiatives. Take a look at these for ideas that you might adapt for use in your community. There’s a contact person listed for most every initiative. Call them for more details and input.

Step 2 - Bring people together
Convene a community meeting to discuss possible ABCD projects.

Who?  The most successful ABCD efforts involve a broad coalition of the community including these three key players:
•    Government officials: state, county and municipal
•    Artists and arts groups
•    Residents & local businesses
Be sure to cast a broad net. Don’t forget educators, ethnic groups, churches and other civic groups.

Get the word out about the meeting
•    Word of mouth
•    Posters, postcards in local stores, libraries, etc.
•    Announcements on the local cable stations and community radio stations
•    Ask you local newspaper to run a story about your planned meeting
•    Post information in the “What’s Happening” section of local media

At the meeting
•    Find out what kinds of culture people want in their community?  Brainstorm!
•    Sign up volunteers
•    Create a working group to take next steps
•    Schedule a follow-up community meeting – its important to keep the stakeholders involved and informed

Step 3 – Create a Plan
Understand Your Community
•    Do you know the demographics?
•    Who represents you? Local, county, state and federal officials
•    Make a list of your arts and cultural assets
Define the focus of your ABCD initiative
Identify individuals and organizations that will lead and be involved
Set goals: short range (6 months) medium range (1year) long range (3 years)

Step 4 - Take Action
•    Have another community meeting
•    Present your plan to local officials
•    Create an event

Contact Us – The cultural policy staff at the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is available to field your questions about ABCD. If you live in the Greater Philadelphia region we can arrange to visit your community.
Contact:   Nancy DeLucia - nancyd@philacuture.org  215.654.0676
               Jessica Eldredge - jessicae@philaculture.org   610.805.5863