Arts & Culture We will create a distinct image for our community through creative and cultural initiatives and encourage the use of the arts as a tool to achieve our other goals and create a sense of community pride and unity.
Young people in Back of the Yards, in particular, can benefit from the arts and cultural placemaking. Through such programming, youth are introduced to community building and are able to meaningfully contribute to their neighborhood. Youth art programs also help teens to develop creative problem solving and social skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Research compiled by the Americans for the Arts documents that students involved in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores and lower dropout rates. Research also demonstrates that the arts strengthen the local economy by driving tourism and attendance at cultural events and patronage of local businesses. The benefits of arts and culture programming are multifaceted in that they lead to the development of more livable and visually appealing public spaces, while simultaneously contributing to community building and neighborhood pride. The following strategies will help to create a strong community of artists, while also celebrating the diverse cultural identity of Back of the Yards.
Back of the Yards residents expressed a strong desire for expanded arts and culture programming that celebrates the community’s multicultural identity and rich industrial history, provides a creative, engaging experience for youth and teens, and enhances the economic base. Arts and cultural events in communities encourage social interaction and enrich collective identity, which can lead to an increase in civic participation and community dialogue. Because participation in the arts and cultural events can connect residents to community institutions, increased programming in Back of the Yards can help to achieve other quality of life initiatives discussed in the community plan. Thus, the suggested strategies and action items are not limited to just the arts community, but to any organizations interested in making Back of the Yards a more vibrant and celebratory environment. Vista Hermosa Mural. Source: Great Cities Institute, 2018.
Back of the Yards Neighborhood Plan
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