A Cultural Vision for Broward

A Cultural Vision for Broward

The planning process for CreativeBROWARD 2020 generated a new vision for cultural and economic development throughout the County. This vision is based on the many past accomplishments in expanding Broward’s cultural life and infrastructure. Grounded in the diversity of the county’s population and culture, the vision embraces change and reflects the evolving role of culture in the community.

Broward’s cultural vision is founded in the belief that culture is an essential asset for community and economic development. Culture arises from the cumulative creative expression of its residents. Therefore, valuing, acknowledging and fostering creative expression for all residents is key to a vibrant and productive culture.

Planning participants and cultural leaders now focus on the entire creative economy, not only the “arts community.” The creative economy includes for-profit and nonprofit activity, and individual and corporate enterprises. They view cultural development as economic development, and the connections within the sector outweigh former boundaries. The creative activities of all residents contribute to this economic vitality.

Culture is seen as the foundation of economic growth in Broward’s creative industry. Creativity and innovation arise from a vibrant culture in which diversity and personal expression are valued and nurtured. Broward’s cultural climate is not only a seedbed for local development but a magnet for creative talent and businesses. The creative economy is viewed as an entire ecosystem, with multiple approaches to its development.

Broward’s residents recognize that their culture is now distinguished in large part by its extraordinary diversity, containing populations, traditions and points of view from throughout the world. This diversity has engendered a new cultural milieu in which tensions exist alongside of rich cultural exposure and interchange. Many believe in culture as a connector, with the capacity to engender cultural understanding and cooperation. Broward’s cultural future must derive from its diversity.

Broward views culture as a “big tent,” encompassing diverse cultures, fine and popular arts, commercial and nonprofit activities, and with a strong role for the individual creative. Under this tent, there is great variety in ways people express their creativity and engage in their cultural interests. Differences in generation, ethnicity, geography and artistic interests—as well as technology—all influence this expression.

Planning participants describe an emerging and distinct cultural identity for Broward, and they are ambitious in developing it in an authentic way. With a history of being overshadowed by neighboring counties, Broward’s residents now seek to advance its own positive cultural image. They want to encourage cultural evolution based on intrinsic characteristics, such as diversity, the current arts and cultural scene, cultural institutions and venues, the natural environment, international interchange, and a sense of ongoing maturation.

Fostering individual creative expression means providing opportunities for residents and visitors to personally participate in arts and culture. Participation includes “doing as well as watching,” and respects a range of informal and professional activities. For most, these are personal activities, such as reading books, making photos, and making movies or pictures on the computer for fun. And for many, they include cultural traditions passed down from past generations. Participation crosses all ages and includes comprehensive arts education in schools as well as greater opportunities for lifelong learning.

Broward seeks to integrate cultural experiences throughout all areas of the county and the fabric of everyday life. New cultural resources have been developed downtown and throughout the regions of the county. The next evolution includes using these as a platform for greater access to cultural programs and activities. It also means supporting creative businesses and cultural programs in non-traditional and unexpected places in the county, not just in familiar cultural facilities. In the built environment, planning participants desire better design and a more visible presence of art.

Planning participants believe that culture is an essential element of civic life. Cultural leaders seek greater engagement with civic decision-making, a role at the “policy table” where they can define new and better ways to enhance civic efforts. This requires improved communication and advocacy about the role and value of arts and culture. It also means incorporating Broward’s cultural identity into its brand and its public image.

Broward’s cultural future includes better connections to the region. Exploration of stronger regional collaborations and participation in regional planning are examples of how regional action can strengthen Broward’s internal culture.

Broward’s cultural ecosystem has struggled for resources in a system emphasizing “support for the arts.” It seeks to reframe this by seeking investments in the creative economy that return benefits to the community. New structures, tools, resources, leadership and funding are needed to fulfill this vision. The role of local government must remain strong but reevaluate its form to reflect fiscal realities.

Vision and Mission Statements

Vision

The collective creative expression of Broward’s diverse people fuels a vibrant, distinctive and evolving culture, and a growing creative economy.

Mission

Enliven the cultural vitality Broward County by fostering creative expression, strengthening the creative economy, and strengthening a distinctive cultural identity.

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