Creative Pathways: Regional Start Up

Creative Pathways: Regional Start Up

June 21, 2019 

Noon-2pm

536 W 11thSt

San Bernardino, CA 92410

Creative Pathways: Regional Start Up is the first in a series of convenings we will host. Topics and formats will evolve and include strategic planning sessions, roundtables and workshops for our region. We will be honing the conversations and plan next steps based on your input and participation at this first gathering.

We are bringing together active community members and leaders of arts and cultural organizations, associations and institutions, such as historic societies, rotary clubs, museums and colleges/universities, teachers, parents, and civic leaders, including those in direct contact with their city mayors and council members. In some cases, this may mean you work directly with your local unit of government. We especially need your voice as we move this conversation forward.

What is Creative Pathways?

Creative Pathways is an Arts Connection initiative to expand local and regional capacity by drawing together the expertise and of our countywide creative professional network.  Together, we will share, support and adapt from lessons learned and build the knowledge of the entire field. Together, we will explore and experiment with how to develop sustainable arts and culture initiatives across the county. We will invite regional experts in the field to guide us. We will learn to adapt and listen to the environment and the communities we work within. Together, we will make a difference in our county, and our voices will form the cohesive, empowered voice for arts advocacy in Southern California’s Inland Communities.

The Inspiration:

There are many successful efforts ongoing in cities such as Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Redlands, in regions such as the Morongo Basin (Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Landers, Wonder Valley, Twenty-nine Palms) and adjacent cities like Pomona and Riverside. There is every reason to be sharing what we are learning from the process and encouraging our neighboring cities to explore similar paths. We will enrich the arts and cultural infrastructure if we all know what we are doing and working towards.

Goals:

+ Bolster each other’s efforts by sharing some of our regional successes to date and in progress. 

+ Collect regional impact stories and data to make the case for integrating the arts into the fabric of the Countywide Vision.  

+ Create Advocacy toolkits (local data and case studies) and hone local leadership skills for rallying support at city council and Board of Supervisor meetings.

+ Create a united voice for arts advocacy at the County and State levels to increase funding for the arts in San Bernardino County, and the Inland Empire at large. California is 26th in the nation in terms of per capita funding for the arts and San Bernardino County is receives only about 15 % of the state grants that are issued. 

About Arts Connection

Arts Connection Network is the San Bernardino County Arts Council and the State and Local Partner to the California Arts Council. Our mission is to elevate Arts and Culture across San Bernardino County and inspire our County Supervisors to invest in each of our creative communities and collaboratively build sustainable infrastructure to support arts and culture within their Vision.