IMAGINE IF…
Greater Louisville is a magnet for artists and creative professionals, where arts and culture organizations and creative industries, both institutional and emerging, are thriving.
Greater Louisville were a magnet for artists and creative professionals… with thriving arts and culture organizations and booming creative industries. A place where creativity is nurtured and valued as essential to the success of our community.
The artists, creative professionals, arts and cultural organizations are the foundation of our cultural community. Creative industries employ a large number of people, and jobs in creative industries often require bachelors and masters level degrees and have higher incomes. Solo artists are entrepreneurs and small business owners and help to drive the economy. The number of arts and cultural organizations is one measure of the community’s assets, but also the diversity of the type of organization – whether performing arts theatre or visual arts gallery, museum or other cultural site.
Cultivating artists, creative professionals, arts and cultural organizations, at all stages of development is critical to a thriving ecosystem. Exposing young people to various art forms and avenues for creative expression, fostering meaningful dialogue around artistic practice and supporting creative businesses to establish a robust arts career pipeline in Greater Louisville are all important aspects of cultivating the creative sector.
By promoting the engagement of all sectors of Greater Louisville—government, funders, foundations, corporations, educational institutions and even social service organizations, art producers and supporters—we will elevate the overall caliber and develop a highly skilled and well-rounded creative community.
THIS PRIORITY ALREADY IN ACTION
Kentucky College of Art & Design (KyCAD)
Established in 2011 the KyCAD curriculum is designed to prepare students for the workforce. KyCAD graduates will become artists, designers and creative thinkers who will be business and cultural contributors to our community. With an immersive art program and outstanding faculty KyCAD plays an integral role in attracting and retaining creative talent — and industry in Louisville.
STRATEGY 1
Create resources, programs and connection points to support the individual artist community.
ACTION A: Build a cross-disciplinary independent artist network.
ACTION B: Explore a business services support hub for artists.
ACTION C: Provide opportunities for professional development for individual artists.
STRATEGY 2
Promote local art and artists.
ACTION A: Publish a recommended artist pay scale that provides guidelines for individuals or corporations who want to hire artists.
ACTION B: Develop a discount program for artists that lowers the barrier to their entry to arts and cultural events while simultaneously broadening and diversifying audiences.
ACTION C: Explore a partnership with Louisville Independent Business Alliance to develop a focus on local
art as has been done with local business and local food. Identify and partner with regional organizations to move toward the same objective.
ACTION D: Establish pathways to engage artists in other community sectors; i.e. on boards and commissions.
ACTION D: Work with the business community on ways to buy local art and engage local artists in their workplaces.
STRATEGY 3
Attract, retain and sustain emerging artistic talent for the Greater Louisville community.
ACTION A: Create an Artist Internship program that provides opportunities for local talent to connect to experiential learning and to increase their community engagement.
ACTION B: Explore an arts business accelerator.
ACTION C: Identify current and new mentor, fellowship and grant opportunities.
STRATEGY 4
Support and cultivate arts and culture organizations to ensure a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem.
ACTION A: Invest in the growth and stability of organizations at all levels through general operating support.
ACTION B: Invest in professional development and capacity building for arts organizations and artists.
ACTION C: Explore shared facilities for rehearsal,
performance and administrative offices.
ACTION D: Explore providing an automatic membership to regional chambers of commerce, convention and visitors bureaus and other community organizations for Arts and Culture Alliance members.
