ABOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS
Pierce County Arts and Cultural Services with the Pierce County Arts Commission has initiated a process to establish the value of arts and culture to the community and within the broader goals of Pierce County. A team of experienced consultants will facilitate this project: Marc Goldring, WolfBrown, Boston; Claudia Bach, AdvisArts Consulting, Seattle; and Bonnie Berk, Berk & Associates, Seattle.

Purpose of the process:

• To identify issues, strengths, and challenges for cultural development in dialog with the community.
• To develop a strategic needs assessment that defines the role of the Pierce County Arts & Cultural Services Division and the Pierce County Arts Commission in supporting the arts and culture, and the role of the arts and culture in accomplishing the County's broader goals.
• To develop a clear set of priorities that is supported by both policy and a commitment of County resources.

Goals of the process:

• To engage the participation and ownership of community members, arts organizations and artists in the needs assessment and cultural plan.
• Integrate consideration of the arts and culture into overall County planning.
• To raise the visibility of arts and culture as a valuable community resource that contributes to identity, sense of place, and quality of life.
• To partner with other agencies necessary to support the needs assessment and cultural plan.

Emerging Themes Memo (November 2, 2009) - The first set of themes to emerge from meetings and interviews to date.

Critical Issues Report (December 15, 2009) - A comprehensive overview of issues that need to be addressed for arts and cultural development in the county to thrive.

Findings and Questions (December 30, 2009) - A summary of key findings and related questions from the Critical Issues Report.

TIMELINE AND MEETINGS
The first stage of the process began in September 2009 and the final report will be presented in April 2009. During the course of the process the steering committee will convene four times and a series of focused group meetings and public meetings will be held to gather input from the community. For a detailed project timeline, click here.

Steering Committee Meetings

• October 2, 2009
• January 7, 2010
• February 3, 2010
• March 17, 2010

Community Forum Public Meetings

• January 6, 2010 | details>
• March 17, 2010 | details>

• Beth Willis, Steering Committee Chair - Pierce County Arts Commissioner, International Trade
• Bonnie Egbert - President, Pierce County Arts Commission
• Rosalind Bell - Poet, Educator, Artist in Residence at University of Puget Sound
• Andy Buelow - Tacoma Symphony
• Diane Supler - Interim Sumner City Administrator
• Frank Garratt - Two Waters Arts Alliance
• Charlie Gray - Pierce County Housing Authority
• Susan Russell Hall - Artist
• Franclyn Heinecke - Lakewood Sister Cities
• Kathy Kravit-Smith - Director, Pierce County Parks Dept
• Patsy O'Connell - Artist, Founder of Asia Pacific Cultural Center
• Jennifer Olson-Rudenko - The Gallery at Tacoma Community College and Pierce College Gallery
• Pam Duncan Pierce - United Way
• Mark Reutlinger - Tacoma Concert Band
• Marcus Rogers - Town of Steilacoom
• Michael Sandner - Bethel Schools Arts Specialist
• Luke Smiraldo - Poet, Broadway Center
• Stephanie Stebich - Director, Tacoma Art Museum
• CJ Swanson - Artist

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS
The goal of this process is to engage the Pierce County community - you are invited to participate. Meeting announcements will be posted on the Tacoma Art Listserv, a service of the City of Tacoma. For instructions on signing up for the free service, click here. If you are interested in attending a focused group interview or public meeting, please email kbenson@co.pierce.wa.us.

Pierce County Arts and Cultural Planning Community Forums

March 17, 2010 | time, location TBA

January 6, 2010 | 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Sound View Building, Conference Room A
3602 Pacific Avenue, Suite 200
Tacoma, WA 98418