Why the plan is happening now

ABOVE: Family artmaking at 506 Art, photo courtesy of the Granville Arts Center.

Cultural arts in Garland has a long and storied history. Garland’s core performing arts facilities and organizations have anchored cultural arts activities in the city for decades. Recently, new opportunities and activities have built from these historic successes and helped deliver creative experiences to more residents in more parts of Garland.

• The Garland Cultural Arts Commission launched a public art program with the “Vision of the Arts” sculpture by the artist Barvo outside of the Granville Arts Center.

• The City’s Office of Neighborhood Vitality has made communitydriven public art a key aspect of the work they do to support thriving neighborhoods throughout the city.

• With community and youth-focused cultural celebrations such as the

Dia de los Muertos celebration and Big Art Day, the City has partnered with other civic and cultural organizations to deliver events and activities to Garland residents and visitors.

• Private arts programs, such as the 506 Art outdoor gallery in downtown Garland, have enriched the cultural texture of the community.

These are just a few examples of the emerging energy around the cultural arts in Garland. Community partners and City staff are showing strong leadership in making a home for the arts in Garland and ensuring access to the arts for all community members, and there is great opportunity to build on these efforts.

All of this exciting new activity means that now is an important time for the City and community members to take stock of where we’ve come from, and to collaboratively envision the future of the arts in Garland. This plan sets a vision for cultural arts in the city, and lays out a roadmap for how to get there together.

The arts in Garland are incredibly diverse. Arts offerings and activities have moved beyond the four walls of any one building, the programs of one organization, or the activities of one department. This growth, if built on the wisdom and lessons learned of long-time stakeholders, will help creative and cultural experiences to flourish for more residents and visitors in more parts of the community than ever.

The cultural arts in Garland are ready to take the stage for the next act.

The cultural arts in Garland are ready to take the stage for the next act.

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Research & Discovery