6/27/2017
Arts and Culture Plan City of Park Rapids
City of Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan
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City of Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan
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Arts and Culture Plan
Acknowledgments
Park Rapids’ Arts and Culture Plan is the result of nearly a year of research and public engagement with
many individuals and groups within the city. The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission
would like to thank all of the individuals and organizations who have given their time to share their vision
for arts and culture in the City of Park Rapids and the Park Rapids Lakes Area. The Park Rapids Arts and
Culture Advisory Commission would also like to specifically thank the following organizations for their
financial contributions to the Plan development:
Partners and Sponsors
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Introduction
The purpose of creating a plan for arts and culture is to provide a roadmap to move the arts forward as a
key element in enhancing quality of life, promoting economic development, enhancing education, and
celebrating our community. Similar efforts have been undertaken in other Minnesota communities,
including the city of Grand Rapids. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission and HRDC took these
examples into account, and adapted some similar themes to the community of Park Rapids.
Despite its small size, the Park Rapids community is home to numerous arts organizations, individual
artists, cultural participants and cultural tourists. Arts and culture are widely recognized for their role in
enhancing quality of life, generating employment and attracting investment to the community. 95% of
community survey respondents recognized the arts as “Important,” or “Very Important” to the overall
health of the community. The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan (Plan) celebrates the unique cultural
offerings of the City of Park Rapids and surrounding Lakes Area, and offers a series of recommendations
to guide future cultural development.
Planning Process
Over a nine month period the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (sometimes
Commission), with staffing assistance from the Headwaters Regional Development Commission (HRDC)
developed the Arts and Culture Plan. The Plan was developed by synthesizing research of secondary data,
best practices, and trends with the aspirations and ideas drawn from an extensive public engagement
campaign within the community.
Goals
To help advance the City’s ideas for arts and culture, this Plan outlines five goal areas which capture the
aspirations of the community for future cultural development. These goals are the intended primary
outcomes of this Plan.
1. Promote the creation and inclusion of art in public and private spaces.
2. Financially support the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Commission goals.
3. Recognize and support preservation of Park Rapids’ historic and cultural assets.
4. Make the City of Park Rapids a regional destination for unique arts and cultural
experiences.
5. Support the Arts and Culture Plan and respond to changing needs of the community.
Going forward, this Plan will serve as a roadmap for the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory
Commission. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission also selected specific actions described later in
this document that describe how it intends to fulfill the goals and policies it has expressed. The realization
of goals and strategies will require aligned leadership between the City, County, partnering organizations,
private businesses, and citizens.
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Background
Arts and Culture as a Community Asset
An increasing body of research demonstrates how vibrant cultural resources are essential to community
livability. Livability consists of a variety of factors that contribute to the quality of life in a community. The
arts can enhance livability through the creation of vibrant community identities, celebrates unique assets,
and elevates quality of living. Infusing arts and culture into places and projects throughout a city will
elevate community pride, identity, and vibrancy.
A community’s arts and cultural resources and their activities and products are key resources and
incubators of creativity. Individuals working in creative industries create new cultural, intellectual, and
economic opportunities and innovations. Additionally jobs are generated for people who supply materials
and service needs, and present and consume creative work.
In addition to adding jobs and an economic boost, growing a substantial arts and culture community will
help retain and attract good talent. Communities with rich cultural resources draw and retain today’s
talented, high skilled workers.
More than ever before, communities compete with thousands of others for business, investment, visitors,
and talent. To be successful, the communities must set themselves apart from many other communities
offering similar activities and attractions. One way of accomplishing this goal is through a unique cultural
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identity. By encouraging and supporting art and cultural activity, a community can bring to life their
uniqueness and differentiate itself from neighboring communities.
Developing and growing cultural resources throughout a community is key to expanding economic
development opportunities through tourism. Visitors may come for a host of reasons, from conferences, to
outdoor recreation, but a wide array of arts and culture activities will give them more things to do and
more things to spend money on while in town.
Communities across the country are discovering that the arts can intersect with economic and community
development planning, offering solutions, improvements, and ways to discover and define place. This
concept is sometimes referred to as “Creative Placemaking.” While there are many examples of creative
placemaking and it’s defined in many ways, Creative placemaking can be defined as an approach to
improving quality of life and economic opportunity in communities through the strategic engagement of
arts and cultures in communities. It differs from traditional approaches to arts by focusing on building
diverse and sustainable partnerships, and
by strategically organizing arts and cultural
activities to address social and economic
problems and opportunities.
Placemaking goes far beyond “decorating”
spaces. Instead it is an essential
characteristic of a community that values its
quality of life and wishes to be seen by its
residents, neighbors and visitors as an
attractive and desirable place.
It has been well-documented that the arts
contribute not only to the quality of life of a
community, but to its economic health as
well. A variety of respected entities regularly
measure the economic impact of the arts—
locally, regionally and nationally and the
data about the region underscore the economic value of having a healthy arts sector. In 2015 the MN
Citizens for the Arts commissioned a study of the economic impact of the arts in MN. While this data is
collected at the regional level it’s clear that arts and cultural have an incredible impact on the economy of
Northcentral MN.
“CREATIVE PLACEMAKING IS AN
APPROACH TO IMPROVING QUALITY
OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY IN COMMUNITIES
THROUGH THE STRATEGIC
ENGAGEMENT OF ARTS AND
CULTURES IN COMMUNITIES.”
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Defining Art and Culture Defining art and culture is not easy. Some people think of activities such as painting, playing music,
writing, acting, or dancing. Others may think of venues like theatres, galleries, museums, or parks, while
others may think in terms of crafts, customs, or cultural celebrations. While there’s a variety of definitions
for the terms “arts” and “culture,” for the purposes of our work we adopt a broad, inclusive definition of
the arts and culture. It includes:
A range of arts, cultural and creative sectors: fine arts, as well as popular, traditional and commercial arts.
A range of disciplines: visual and performing artists, craftspeople, makers, creative workers, designers, educators, cultural practitioners, and consumers.
A range of cultural events: performances, exhibitions, festivals, and celebrations. “
It includes traditions, historical resources, community heritage and forms of expression valued, practiced, and preserved by a community.
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The Park Rapids Community:
The City of Park Rapids is located in southwestern Hubbard County, approximately 200 miles northwest
of St. Paul/Minneapolis and 135 miles west of Duluth. The primary transportation networks to the city are
via State Highways 71 and 34. Park Rapids is the county seat for Hubbard County. The city is governed as
a statutory city under a mayor/council form of government.
Park Rapids is regionally known as a quality community with a unique downtown and gateway to Itasca
State Park and the Mississippi River. The City’s population is currently estimated at 3,844, however the
City serves the economic, social, and cultural needs of a much larger population, extending into five
counties. The City experiences significant in-migration during the summer months, which draw
thousands of tourists and seasonal residents to the City every year. Moreover, many people who call Park
Rapids home do not live in the City limits.
The Process:
Work on this Plan started in summer of 2016, after the City of Park Rapids received a grant from the
Northwest Minnesota Foundation. The City hired the Headwaters Regional Development Commission
(HRDC) to help focus the emerging ideas and aspirations for the City’s arts and culture sectors.
HRDC led a public engagement process in which community members participated in a series of
community meetings; more than 100 individuals participated in a community survey, and numerous
taskforce meetings were held. The appendix of this Plan includes a community engagement summary.
This feedback from the community was then used to develop a set of recommendations to guide the City’s
efforts.
Existing Plans
One of the overarching goals of this process was to encourage consideration of arts and culture in all city
planning and decision-making. This means that the connections between the Arts and Culture Plan and
other Park Rapids plans need to be established. An early step in the arts and culture planning process was
an inventory of existing City plans, in particular the City’s Comprehensive Plan, prepared by RDG, which
was adopted in 2008. By integrating this Plan’s goals and strategies with current plans, we hope to foster
the integration of arts and culture into other community goals and chart a course for the community’s
creative future.
The City’s Comprehensive Plan (2008) does not directly identify arts and culture in either goals or
policies. However, many of the goals in the Plan would be advanced by arts and cultural development. The
following points identify areas where the Comprehensive Plan and the Arts and Culture Plan can support
one another and help users of this plan to understand how it fits within the larger vision of Park Rapids.
Goals from the Comprehensive Plan that are in alignment include the following:
“Maximize Park Rapids’ potential as a thriving center for business and recreation, while maintaining and enhancing its livability.”
“Small City with Many Amenities.”
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“Promote community unity and spirit and enhance character and identity.
“Encourage a variety of experiences and opportunities in terms of living, working, and social activities within the community.”
“Support quality lifelong learning opportunities for community residents of all ages.”
“Protect important historical, cultural, and natural resources as a means to maintain the area’s character and heritage.”
“Work with community and neighborhood leaders to gather support and cooperation for tourism, events and festivals by providing volunteer opportunities.”
Area specific plans like the Downtown Revitalization Plan, and City Parks Plan were also consulted. The
City’s Downtown Revitalization Plan (2008, pg. 43) identifies placemaking themes as key to the
downtown’s revitalization.
“Streets need to be more attractive for pedestrians and passersby. Trees lined streets, benches,
planters, ornamental lights, banners, graphics, historical markers, and art should be
programmed into the streetscape design.”
Finally, the Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Commission’s Armory Square Feasibility
Study, also prepared by RDG, outlines the reuse of the former National Guard armory as a community art
center and its potential $3,125,000 annual economic impact on the community. These and other city
plans and strategies have drawn attention to the need for more focused planning around the city’s role in
local cultural development.
Survey
During the initial stages of the planning process, a survey was distributed throughout the Park Rapids
community to help gain perspective into what events citizens of the region find important in regards to
arts and culture. Respondents were also asked to sort and describe strengths and weaknesses of the arts
and cultural community in Park Rapids. Through multiple choice and essay questions, respondents were
given an opportunity to share and describe their arts and culture opinions.
These surveys were disseminated electronically and handed out at various events throughout the
community. 102 respondents completed the survey in full, with an age range from under 18 years old to
65 and older. Complete survey results can be found in the appendix to this document.
Key Findings
Survey findings suggest that Park Rapids residents greatly value the contribution of arts and culture to the
community.
66% of respondents found that arts and cultural offerings were ‘Very Important’ to the overall health of the community. 29% of respondents found that arts and cultural offerings were ‘Important’ to the overall health of the community.
57% of respondents would attend more arts and culture events if the information were made more readily available to them.
51% of respondents considered themselves artists, or were engaged in an artistic discipline.
The three main deterrents to attending arts events were lack of time available, cost of events, and accessibility to populations of all ages and abilities.
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Music was the most popular theme with survey respondents. 90% of survey takers had attended a music event in Park Rapids in the last year. 2nd Street Stage concerts were the most attended events in the essay question responses.
Respondents still wanted to attend more music-related events, even though it was the most popularly attended activity. 77% wanted to see more music concerts and events
Respondents felt that the built environment would best be served by arts improvements. Buildings, parks and streets, respectively, rounded out the top three aspects of the community to benefit potentially from the public art.
Community Meetings
The Park Rapids Arts and Culture
Advisory Commission hosted two
community open houses in December of
2016. In attendance were community
members representing arts groups,
elected officials, downtown business
owners, resort owners, the Armory
redevelopment, the Native American
community, and general citizens who had
interest in the community’s future. At these meetings, community members identified existing assets,
discussed specific recommendations as the City worked to grow community arts and culture resources. A
list of these recommendations can be found in the appendix.
Arts and Culture Advisory Commission
Mission
The mission of the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is to advocate for and to promote
the creation, understanding, appreciation, and awareness of the arts in the City of Park Rapids,
Minnesota.
Organizational Overview
The Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is a formalized independent advisory board of
the Park Rapids City Council established on January 11, 2011 to serve in an advisory capacity to the City
Council on matters related to the development of arts and culture in the City. The Arts and Culture
Advisory Commission is comprised of citizens and artists. The Commission is appointed by the City
Council and consists of five members serving staggered 3-year terms. A nonvoting city staff member
provides staffing assistance to the Commission.
It is the responsibility of the Commission to:
1) Stimulate participation in and appreciation of the arts by area residents through engagement and interaction.
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2) Identify ways that the arts can enhance Park Rapid’s quality of life and contribute to economic and social growth. The Commission also serves as a liaison to local, regional, state and national arts organizations to foster support of the arts.
3) Seek financial support for the arts and act as an advocate for the arts before private and public agencies
4) From time to time, the Commission may establish subcommittees comprised of up to two Commission members and other interested community members. Subcommittees will work on details of initiatives in the Action Plan and report to the Commission.
In order to fulfill the responsibility successfully, the Commission will need to be able to adapt and fill
many vital roles on behalf of the arts community. These roles have been broken down into four categories:
convener, facilitator, liaison, and city council advisor.
Convener
The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will be working with a diverse range of groups and individuals
throughout the Park Rapids arts community. Upon receiving recommendation power from the city
council, the Commission will play an important role in what is brought to the city, and vice versa.
Therefore, there will be an extremely important emphasis on making sure that the correct people are
meeting, and being brought together to accomplish the artistic goals in Park Rapids. There are many
different stakeholder groups, both public and private, that will be involved in the arts processes in the
community, and the Commission should play a role in connecting and fostering dialogue amongst them.
As a convener, the Commission will bring crucial players to the table for discussion, help to frame
conversations and discussions, and, if necessary, effect necessary or beneficial change.
There are a number of important responsibilities that fall on the Commission, and some of those involve
creating and sustaining public policy in the arts. It will be important to convene forums should policy
issues ever arise and need to be amended. It will be important to involve and be representative of the
stakeholders in the arts community, and having their trust is key. The Commission should make sure that
it is fully staffed, and staffed with members that are representative of the community. If set policies are
transparent and the community feels it is represented on the Commission, then the Commission is more
likely to have the support of, and more tenable relationships with stakeholder groups. For example, they
might help increase artists’ awareness of the quality standards and expectations, site placement, and the
conservation and maintenance policies for public works, all as a part of the broad goal of enhancing Park
Rapids’ reputation as an arts and culture destination.
Facilitator
It will be a role of the Commission to be a facilitator to the other arts organizations (PRLAAC, PRCDC,
etc.). These organizations will bring ideas and ventures to the table, and it will be the role of the
Commission to assist them in navigating the city’s policies in getting their visions accomplished. The
Commission can facilitate these groups and individuals in grant and application processes, showing a
willingness and knowledge in making things happen to further the artistic visions throughout the
community. There will be varying city and other resources that artists will access, and the Commission
can help to simplify and streamline the process.
With the adoption of the Arts Plan and incorporation into the City’s comprehensive plan, requests for City
resources for arts-related projects might increase, and it will be an important role of the Commission to
help develop policy and process these requests, in accordance with newly set policy, on behalf of the City.
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Liaison
In the Arts Plan, public art was uncovered as one of the most desirable outcomes, and the Commission’s
goal is to incorporate art into the built environment, and one way of accomplishing this is the use of the
arts in the design and construction of public facilities. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will
work closely with partners at the City to make sure that the arts are at least considered, if not incorporated
into the public works in the community. The Commission will work on enhancing their standing as a
governmental advisory commission, in order to effect change in the governmental departments, and
eventually bring about programmatic changes to the way that municipal policies and projects are
developed.
In order to accomplish these goals, it is important to have Commission members that are actively involved
in the community, perhaps even represented on other city commissions. If the Arts and Culture Advisory
Commission is made up of City members that are active in City leadership, there will be an increase in arts
awareness and an elevation of its standing. This also helps to ensure that decision makers are at the table
when the arts are being discussed, decreasing the chance that the arts remain an afterthought in citywide
capital improvement and planning projects. Currently, members of the Commission are active on other
strategic development organizations and the Commission should make sure to keep it that way. If the
Commission can increase the crossover between the developmental organizations and this Commission,
then the work to better the community will undoubtedly include an arts perspective.
City Council Advisor
One of the most important roles of this Commission is the advisory role that it will play to City Council,
City Staff, and particularly, the City Planner. It will not only be a conduit, through which the artistic
programming projects and ideas will flow to and from the Council, but will also act as a filter, in
conjunction with the City Planner and Planning Commission, in regards to the projects that do or do not
make it to the Council for consideration. With the development of public policy and standards for works
of art throughout the community, it will be the role of the Commission to interpret and apply these
standards accordingly. Before bringing anything to the Council, it must make sure that it passes aesthetic
and quality standards, and is a feasible project that the City could potentially afford and accomplish.
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Goals and Policies
The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission is dedicated to vibrant arts and culture resources as a means
to support and enhance the community. Its vision is to set Park Rapids apart as a destination to live, work,
and create. Its goals support this vision.
The objectives and goals in this section set forth the framework for realizing the aspirations of the
community. They are as follows:
Goal 1: Promote the creation and inclusion of art in public and private spaces.
Policies:
a. Encourage public art as a vital component of municipal and private development projects.
b. Utilize green spaces as sites for public art to connect arts with outdoor recreation.
c. Engage creative sector representation in City planning activities.
Goal 2: Financially support the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission goals.
Policies
a. Support the development of innovative funding techniques.
b. Establish strong partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations to provide
funding for key art-related project.
c. Include priority arts and cultural projects in future Capital Improvements Programs.
Goal 3: Protect and promote Park Rapids’ historic and cultural assets.
Policies
a. Establish an inventory of historic and cultural experiences and destinations throughout the
City.
b. Engage diverse communities in arts and culture planning, promotion and programming.
c. Interpret local history through public arts programs.
Goal 4: Make the City of Park Rapids a regional destination for unique arts and cultural
experiences
Policies
a. Maintain and expand quality cultural resources and activities for residents and visitors.
b. Work with community partners to enhance the value, impact and sustainability of regional
arts facilities and programs.
c. Encourage, support, and participate in arts and cultural events.
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Goal 5: Support the Arts and Culture Plan and respond to changing needs of the
community
Policies
a. Identify and recruit community members for the Arts and Culture Advisory Commission.
b. Support artists, nonprofits, and for-profit arts organizations.
c. Create alignment between city plans, citizen commissions, and staff to coordinate resources.
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Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission Action Plan
This action plan consists of a series of initiatives that the Commission feels will advance the goals of the
Arts and Culture plan. On an annual basis, the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission will
review the plan and make updates as needed.
Goal 1: Promote the creation and inclusion of art in public and private spaces.
Initiative Lead Resources required Partners Timeline
Provide clear policy for selection criteria, placement, and maintenance of public art.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
None City of Park
Rapids Staff Ongoing
Plan for the next
phase of the Red
Bridge Park
Sculpture Walk.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
TBD
City Staff,
Park Board,
Region 2 Arts
Council,
Individual
Artists, other
regional
partners
2019-2020
Complete a plan for repurposing Trestle Bridge into a piece of public art.
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
$100,000-$250,000
City Staff, LCCMR, MN DNR, SWDC, Park Board, Region 2 Arts Council.
2019-2021
Recognize and capitalize on public art opportunities.
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
Minimal
City of Park Rapids Staff, Downtown Business Association, PRLAAC, Artists
Ongoing
Explore the
development of
creative space within
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission,
$250,000
PRLACC, MN DNR, HCREDC,
2019-2025
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Goal 2: Financially support the Park Rapids Arts and Cultural Commission goals.
the renovations of the
WPA Beach house.
Improve Pioneer
Park’s aesthetics with
updated design
elements.
Parks Board TBD DBA, Arts and Culture Commission
2019-2020
Work with the
PRCDC to ensure
that the Armory
space is diverse and
well utilized.
PRCDC TBD
Arts and Culture Commission, DBA, City staff, Region2 Arts.
Ongoing
Initiative Lead Resources
required
Partners Timeline
Utilize the Park
Rapids Community
Fund to support Arts
and Culture Advisory
Commission work.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
None
City of Park
Rapids Staff,
Park Rapids
Community
Fund
Ongoing
Explore a program
where citizens can
financially support
the arts through
utility fee “round up”
program.
City of Park
Rapids Staff
Minimal
Arts & Culture
Advisory
Commission,
City Council,
2019-2020
Explore policy for use
of TIF funds for
placemaking in any
new TIF districts.
City of Park Rapids Staff
Minimal Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
By 2021
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Goal 3: Protect and promote Park Rapids historic and cultural assets.
Goal 4: Make the City of Park Rapids a destination for unique arts and cultural experiences.
Expand commission
role in seeking grant
funding and
coordination
prioritization of
projects.
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
Minimal
City Staff, HRDC, Region2 Arts Council
Ongoing
Initiative Lead Resources required Partners Timeline
Advocate for the
preservation and
repurposing of
historic buildings.
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
Minimal
Historical Society , Community Members
Ongoing
Celebrate Native
American Heritage
through Ojibwe
signage.
League of Women Voters
Minimal
Chamber, Downtown Business, White Earth Nation,
Ongoing
Recognize and
capitalize on
opportunities to
memorialize historic
events, people, and
activities.
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
Minimal
Historic Society, DBA, Chamber,
Ongoing
Initiative Lead Resources
required
Partners Timeline
Support the creation
of annual festival
celebrating
TBD Minimal
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission,
Annual
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Goal 5: Support the Arts and Culture Plan and responding to changing needs of the community
innovation, arts, and
creativity.
PRLAAC,
Chamber,
DBA,
PRCDC,
Park Rapids
Community
Members
Work closely with the
Park Rapids
Chamber of
Commerce, DBA,
Planning
Commission, and
other stakeholders,
in promoting unity in
design elements of
the community.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
Minimal
PRLAAC,
Chamber,
DBA, City,
Ongoing
Co-promote Park
Rapids Lakes Area
Art information
between Chamber,
city, county, and
regional entities.
Chamber
Minimal
City, County,
PRLAAC,
Arts/Culture
Commission
, DBA
Ongoing
Implement
wayfinding signage
directing people to
destinations in the
community.
City of Park Rapids Staff, Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
Minimal DBA, MNDOT,
Ongoing
Initiative Lead Resources
required
Partners Timeline
Employ arts and
culture leadership in
city planning and
design work.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
Minimal
Planning
Commission, City
Council, other
City staff and
commissions
Ongoing
City of Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan
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Develop an award for
contributions to the
City’s arts and
cultural amenities.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
Minimal
PRLAAC, City of
Park Rapids,
Annual
Hold a biennial
open house to get
feedback from the
public on community
needs.
Arts &
Culture
Advisory
Commission
Minimal
PRLAAC, City of
Park Rapids,
Annual
Highlight the
importance of the
arts in the
community through
multimedia
campaign.
Arts & Culture Advisory Commission
$5,000
Lakeland TV,’ Region 2 Arts council, PRLACC, Local Radio, Chamber.
2019-2020
City of Park Rapids Arts and Culture Plan
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Appendix: Public Engagement Results
Community Survey Results:
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Within the last 12 months in the Park Rapids area, I participated or attended:
2nd Street Stage Summer Concerts were most popular
Plays at the theater
Some respondents cited a lack of time to attend events due to their employment and obligations
In the Park Rapids area, I would like to participate or attend more:
Classes or arts education, whether they’re for children or adults trying to learn different aspects of the arts; if not for them personally to attend, so that there is arts offered in the future and for others to take interest and part in
What do you think are the strongest aspects of arts, culture, and creativity in Park Rapids?
Respondents found the variety of arts programs to be the greatest strength, with the different organizations working together to promote the arts in the community
The organizational skills and participation of the community as a whole were another strong aspect
They were impressed by the high level of artistic talent available throughout the relatively small community
Many answered that the various specific organizations are the strongest aspect (i.e.; 2nd Street Stage, Northern Lights Opera Company, Long Lake Theater, Nemeth Art Center and the Armory)
What are the weakest aspects of arts, culture, and creativity in Park Rapids?
Financial constraints were listed as the weakest aspect of the arts; whether it be the splintered groups not allowing for large donations to one, all the way to not being able to afford to attend or take time off to be a part of the different events and organizations
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Inadequate venues and infrastructure were a close second, many cited the incompletion of buildings, small size of venues and the lack of parking and easy access to many events to be their downside
Many cited the lack of arts education, specifically for the youth of the community as the weakest aspect
People are not aware of many of the different shows, classes and offerings
There were a few responses that cited a lack of quality and/or diversity in events
What would encourage you to participate more in the Arts?
If there was more time to donate to the arts
If the costs and prices were less, there would be more participation
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In what ways can the community of Park Rapids help you advance your artistic/cultural
practice?
Provide more educational opportunities to artists of all groups, ages and skill sets
Improve the artistic venues, whether making them larger, or keeping them open longer throughout the year so they are more accessible to those that want a space to go and practice and/or display their arts
Need more funding to promote the artists from Region 2, when there’s not enough funding it puts a stress on the consumers, and when they’re charged too much, they don’t come, thus the circle starts again
Improve the opportunity to participate in the artistic events by promoting them to everyone, and making them accessible to those with disabilities or illnesses, sometimes newcomers to the arts feel left out and that there is no room for them to participate
Keep concerts and events going year-round, so those that are busier in summer can take part
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What deters you from participating or attending arts and cultural opportunities?
Lack of time and availability was overwhelmingly the strongest answer
Costs and expected fundraising donations are too high, many cite financial burdens
A few people cited the difficulty of the aged population to get to and enjoy the events
What opportunities do you see for helping Park Rapids' arts and culture organizations
collaborate more?
Utilizing the Armory Square as a central focal point for the arts, with the Armory as a venue, and the Armory Board as a unifying fundraising and programming entity
Utilize the different groups and organizations in the community such as the churches, Lake Country Scenic Byway group and St. Joseph hospital to provide funding, spaces for activities and to provide different ideas like a sculpture garden or birding tours
Collaborative opportunities for individuals and groups to submit different ideas and offerings for community events, this could bring in a variety of people that might not have an interest previously, and could create a more concerted effort to plan different styles of events years in advance
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Network, advertise, and promote the cultural offerings throughout the region, getting the word out gets more people interested and involved
Promote arts education not only in the schools, but for the general public as well
Please share any suggestions for how youth could have improved access to the arts:
Educational activities, mostly tied to the schools, are the most common answer. They vary from creating workshops with local artists, or visits to museums set up through the school, all the way to having arts teachers available for longer hours to accommodate kids that want to learn the arts but have other obligations and courses. Respondents were concerned about the funding and attention given to the arts within schools, which hurts the opportunities for kids to participate.
New workshops, open houses, or creative festivals and events to spark the interest in young kids. Make sure they get the attention and credit for creating something unique, whether there’s a sponsored quarterly arts week throughout the year, open houses through the school or local organizations, workshops for students to get together and mentored by local artists, or even a “Makers Space” where the youth can gather in their own creative space to create things.
Community organizations can help pick up the mantle; local churches and the 4-H club are already engaging with students and teachers, but if they make a more concerted effort to reach a wider variety of students, participation will improve. The Northern Lights Opera Company and park projects are a good start by some of these organizations.
A larger variety and lower prices for events was a small concern from respondents.
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Please share any IDEAS you have for how arts and culture could support community
development in the FUTURE.
Need to secure funding to properly support and promote the arts in Park Rapids. Grants can help to fund events in the community, but this money needs to be invested in local arts projects and buildings, and when the arts scene is thriving, the money made can be used to promote Park Rapids as an arts destination, which will bring in more tourism money to continue the cycle.
Proper facilities are needed to support community development. Whether it’s the Armory or other spaces, a meeting or gathering space for the arts to take place, and for people to share ideas and create a community, this is something that’s needed. Utilize available spaces in town to display sculptures, flowers and art, whether it’s the banks, churches or local parks.
While many events are geared toward the summer tourism season, much of the local population feels left out of the arts process, more events are wanted in the fall, winter, and spring months. Not only do residents have more free time, it helps them create something that is truly theirs by allowing participation by residents who actually reside and are invested in the community.
The proliferation of a variety of new and different events will be a great thing for community development in the future. Whether it’s the Wild Rice festival, or bringing in more community theater plays or performing arts series to the cities, if Park Rapids continues to expand its offerings and attract talented individuals, the arts will have a larger draw.
Please share any IDEAS you have for how the arts could support Park Rapids' physical
environment in the FUTURE
A vast majority of respondents want some kind of public space, whether it be a sculpture garden, a revamped park to display different forms of art, or even using the available streets downtown and parks around the community to display art from local artists. There is a high demand for art walks, murals, and different forms of parks and recreation to revitalize the community’s aesthetic and sense of community.
An expansion of festivals and events can bring people into the different spaces. Use grants and other sources of funding to create art and cultural centers and museums. If the community can invest in more events and reasons for tourists to come, the economy will grow.
Venues are also a need, revitalizing older buildings in town like the Armory and old Pamida would do wonders to create a new artistic space. Beautify the old spaces and make them a feasible outlet for the arts.
Incorporate the natural environment, there are so many trees and beautiful natural spaces that people just need to be pointed in their direction. There’s a history of logging in the community, people live off of the land and what has been provided, and there’s an art in that.
Finally, arts education once again appears in the responses. Make them more affordable and accessible to everyone in the community that might have an interest in bettering themselves through art offerings, and the appreciation will grow, therefore the quality of the product will increase, and the people will come to Park Rapids as an arts destination, bringing in more funding.
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Community Meeting Notes: How is Creative Placemaking Happening in Park Rapids?
We are already doing it!
Main Street
o Commitment to aesthetics during redevelopment
Inlays, etc.
New Ojibwe signage
2nd Street Stage
Wild Rice Festival
Trails
MN Bike opener
Outdoor Classroom
Legends and logging
Connection to Itasca, lakes, natural environment
Great American Story
Strengths
Community Pride
Hospitality
Volunteerism!
Areas to work on in the future
We may need to do a better job telling our story
o Tell visitors, short summary of all creative assets in PR
o Put it at resorts, Itasca, restaurants, etc.
o Interactive online/app cultural assets map downtown
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Improving Inclusiveness (Not just marginalized populations, but those who don’t participate for
other reasons.)
More youth programs (demand driven rather than supply driven)
Connecting assets (corridors)
Places of engagement
Heartland Wellness Center
Wayfinding,
Ground all community development in this principle
Involve “creatives” in functional development!!! (The Pioneer Park Bathroom Example)
o Remove the distinction between function and artistic(Overarching theme of the meetings)
o Build social and political capital to truly value the contribution of the arts.
What ideas do you have for the future, in regards to Arts and Culture in the Park Rapids
Community?
Policy/Programs
Inventory current assets (physical) Target by zoning
Common signage and relaxed regulation for signage
o Wayfinding
Zoning standard and procedural process for the funding and placement of Art in Public Spaces
Arts and Culture district in the City limits to include preservation of historical landmarks and
buildings
Policy for murals
Check the box planning review for placement of art in new developments (similar to landscape
review)
Build a revenue source for arts, culture
o Building permit applications
o 1% for the arts
o Bed tax
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o Opt in on city utility bills
o Dedicate a % of the City’s lading tax to the arts
Built environment
Appropriate venues for arts activities
Splash pad with a local cultural aesthetic
Makers Space
Artist Live/work space
Public art displays outside and inside private businesses
Sculpture walk
Gallery/Art shop/ Resource Center
Outdoor performance space (Amphitheater, Band Shell)
Native Art Center
Create connection in town between places
More public art (in unexpected places)
Poetry walk
Murals
Improved signage from downtown to Nemeth, library, historical society
Poster of events on board at Heartland Trail
Public Art that tells “Our story”
Live performance in the park
Native language signs
Historic portrayals
Interactive storyboards invitation for the public to add their story to it (Large chalkboard)
Themes for art
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o Loons, logging, water, red bridge
Combined farmers market
Events
Gala of the arts- celebrate and recognize local efforts
Jazz club /night
Display art of nontraditional artists
o DAC
o Inmates
o Students
Folk School
Met Opera simulcast
Music Festivals
Street Performing
Food Vendors
Open Mic night
Movie/Play night in the park
Lectures and storytelling
Commission local writers, film makers to do stories, films to promote cultural assets
Film Festival
Powwows
“Sing Fest” on the 4th between the parade and fireworks
Promote Armory Square as the Center of Community
More local musicians on second street stage
Special event night
Family based activities
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Relationship/ Culture building
Increased attendance of city elected officials and staff in arts cultural events (one way or another)
to complete the circuit of collaborative efforts
More and Better representation on planning, parks, and other commissions
Cooperation between native community and PR
Outreach to greater PR area
Positive Media attention for the arts
Intentional inclusion of diverse communities (Age, gender, race, etc.)
Encourage Collaboration between “packaged” events within festivals year round
Increase access and inclusivity
o ADA
o Transportation
o Initiation to other populations
o Cost
o Availability
Promote/understand other cultures through music and art
Promote a culture where creative thinking is the new norm
Native owned businesses and native run organizations sought, encouraged, welcome
Build stronger relationships with resorts
Align existing resources w/ arts and culture (Bathroom)
Embrace tech. Facebook, Advertising, Coupons, maps, apps
Get artists involved in promotion
Coordination!
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