I have had the pleasure of serving on the Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board since January 2012. I am more excited now than ever for the future of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs in this region. Arts and culture are thriving in our area, but there is so much more we can do if we all share in the effort. The 352ArtsRoadmap is a set of priorities that will help chart the future of arts and culture in Gainesville and Alachua County over the next five to 10 years.
The 352ArtsRoadmap is important because a healthy cultural sector will support the economic development of our region by generating revenue, creating new jobs, attracting tourists and enhancing the area’s quality of life, making it more desirable to new investment.
The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department (PRCA), Alachua County and the state of Florida, with the guidance of Mataraza Consulting, committed leadership, energy and financial resources to the 352ArtsRoadmap planning process. We define culture as all creative expression: ethnic, ecological, historic, literary, fine, folk, popular arts, humanities, sciences, technology and all the wonderful creativity in between.
Our 352ArtsRoadmap provides new concepts and recommendations to build on already-established efforts. The plan was a yearlong process, and about 3,000 area residents helped shape it. This includes 107 cultural groups, 555 artists and creative types, 104 planning-summit attendees, 305 focus groups and meeting attendees and 2,126 residents spanning the region.
The plan has four main priorities and aims:
1. Nurture and increase creative vitality.
2. Increase creative opportunities for all residents everywhere.
3. Boost our reputation as an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.
4. Increase cultural affairs’ stewardship.
The 352ArtsRoadmap is a plan that seeks to strengthen culture and creativity and increase the impact on our region’s livability and prosperity. This plan strengthens the City of Gainesville PRCA Vision 2020 Master Plan and addresses priorities for quality of life. With the 352ArtsRoadmap, we hope to continue to build Alachua County and Gainesville as premier communities for parks, recreation and cultural offerings for all. This will help build our community as a world-class destination for the arts with diverse cultural heritage and venues where creativity thrives. Susan Davenport, interim president and CEO of Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce said it best: "It is clear our arts and cultural resources are an economic driver for our local and regional economy and make our community an inviting place, attracting and keeping top talent here."
The Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board meetings are open to the public and held the fourth Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the historic Thomas Center.
On Oct. 29 from 6 to 7 p.m., the Gainesville City Commission will host its second Telephone Town Hall, called "talkGNV," to discuss the PRCA master plan — PRCA Vision 2020.
City officials will answer caller questions about the master plan, such as future enhancements to Gainesville’s park facilities and recreation opportunities, as well as discuss potential funding methods. Any resident interested in participating should register his or her telephone number at cityofgainesville.org/openGNV/talkGNV.aspx or call 352-334-5032 and leave a message with his or her name and telephone number. On social media, use #PRCAVision2020 to look for updates.
To learn more about the PRCA Vision 2020 Master Plan, visit cityofgainesville.org/ParksRecreationCulturalAffairs/MasterPlan.aspx.
We hope to grow interest and momentum for the 352ArtsRoadmap and Vision 2020 Master Plan. To see the full 352ArtsRoadmap visit 352Arts.org and like the Facebook page at facebook.com/352arts.
David J. Ruiz
Vice Chair, Gainesville/Alachua County Cultural Affairs Board
davidjruiz@gmail.com
