Local partners launch regional arts and culture strategy development

Art

Mar 25

Written By Staff

Arts & Culture Collective of Grand Rapids (ACCGR), in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids, Kent County, and regional partners, is launching a year-long initiative to develop a long-range Arts and Culture Strategy for the Grand Rapids/Kent County region. KConnect is serving as the project's facilitator. The effort is intended to be a comprehensive, community-informed plan that will strengthen the region's creative ecosystem and guide long-term investment in arts and culture across the county.

ACCGR has spent years laying the groundwork for this process, as the region's cultural landscape has become more dynamic, diverse, and collaborative following the closure of the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids. A recent economic impact study, coordinated by ACCGR and the City of Grand Rapids and conducted by Grand Valley State University, found that the creative economy contributes more than $300 million annually, supports over 2,500 jobs, and attracts more than 1.3 million visitors to Kent County each year, underscoring the need for a coordinated regional strategy.

"Greater Grand Rapids is a region of creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity. This strategy will help us understand what our communities need and envision a stronger, more connected creative future," said Lisa Knight, Grand Rapids 2nd Ward Commissioner.

The new Arts and Culture Strategy will establish a shared vision for how arts and culture can advance economic prosperity, community wellbeing, and regional identity. A public launch, including stakeholder workshops, will take place from March 30 to April 1.

"This effort builds on years of collective work and action. We look forward to engaging our community as we shape a cultural strategy that reflects our values, our diversity, our aspirations, and the incredible creatives who call Kent County home," said Steff Rosalez, Co-Chair, ACCGR. "This is a regional strategy that recognizes arts and culture as essential to both community wellbeing and economic vitality."

Community members are invited to attend one of two Greater Grand Rapids Arts & Culture Strategy – Community Conversations to support the launch and development: March 30, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at Lowell Arts, 223 W Main St in Lowell; and March 31, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the Center for Community Transformation,1530 Madison Ave SE in Grand Rapids. For more information, visit www.accgr.org.

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