Charting a Future for Creativity and Culture in Montgomery County

Publication Date: February 3, 2012

With funding from the William Penn Foundation, leaders in Montgomery County are developing a plan to shape the cultural and economic future of their communities.

Creative MontCo will research existing conditions, engage the public, and develop and implement a comprehensive cultural plan. The goals of the process include economic growth, new jobs, and the growth of the county’s creative sector. 

According to research by Americans for the Arts, "local arts agency budgets and local government revenue both increase at a higher rate for those communities with a cultural plan than for those without."

The Creative MontCo cultural planning effort is led by a team of consultants working under the direction of a broad-based steering committee representing arts organizations, business leaders, public officials, and community members. The Cultural Planning Group, along with Mt. Auburn Associates and The Tara Group are performing the work.

The process, which is expected to result in a comprehensive cultural plan by June 2012, has local arts organizations excited about the possibilities.

Laura Burnham, executive director of Abington Art Center, views Creative MontCo as an opportunity to understand the needs of current and future audiences. Burnham says the process is “opening doors and creating an amazing network, connecting us to people from business, education, social services, government, civic groups across the county - all who are enthusiastically helping to determine the role arts and culture can play in our collective communities. Many have never talked together or traveled across the county before and I love that the cultural plan is making that happen.”

"There are 300 groups creating art in Montgomery County. Creative MontCo is going to make it easier for residents to connect with these groups," said Erin Reilly, artistic director of Norristown-based Theatre Horizon.

Learn more about Creative MontCo and the cultural planning process here.