PRIORITY #8: PLACEMAKING
Utilize Art as Placemaking Tool
In Akron/Summit, we believe that access to beautiful public space is a basic human right. Placemaking builds connections, creates civic engagement, and empowers citizens, and the arts are a crucial component of placemaking.
Together, we have work to do.
Throughout the priorities, you’ll see each labeled with the potential investment required ($ to $$$$) and next steps including, “Implement (I),” “Explore (E),” “Expand (X),” and “Promote (P).”
(Banner photo: Gilmore Girls Day at Lock 3 in downtown Akron; Photography by Shane Wynn from AkronStock.com)
8.1 Civic Spaces
Public & Civic Experiences: Support and invest in organizations that strive to bring cultural experiences beyond traditional venues and into public and civic spaces. (X, P, $$)
Culture Districts: Explore the designation of neighborhood-level arts and culture districts. Encourage businesses within designated districts to embrace the district brand and work with culture creators and individual artists to enliven their storefronts. (P, E, $$$$)
Public Space Performers: Create dedicated public spaces for artists and performers to use that do not interfere with the flow of traffic or pedestrians and require minimal permitting.(P, E, $$$)
Cultural Expression in Public Spaces: Leverage the success of Akron Civic Commons to allow experimental strategies for infusing culture into Akron/Summit’s public spaces. During construction of new public spaces or renovation of existing public spaces, allow artistic expression to occur on public assets such as sidewalks, parks, alleyways, construction fences, and soon-to-be-demolished buildings. (X, P, $$$)
8.2 Showcases for Visitors
Cultural Tourism Task Force: The Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, in partnership with ArtsNow, will develop a Cultural Tourism Task Force. This task force will be made up of content experts, key stakeholders, and others to develop a strategic vision to highlight Akron and Summit County as a cultural destination. (I, $$)
Downtown Akron as Cultural Destination: Celebrate and market Downtown Akron as a premier arts and culture district for local and national tourism and bolster the collective ownership of downtown and its cultural amenities for all Akron/Summit residents. (P, $$$)
Engagement with Sports Visitors: Convert sports- and athletic-focused regional short-term travelers to multi-night consumers of culture. This can be accomplished through the following: (E, $$)
Joint marketing campaign with the Sports Alliance of Greater Akron to showcase the various cultural amenities available in Akron;
Coordinate cultural experience opportunities in conjunction with major sporting events; and
Discount reciprocity between sporting events and cultural institutions.
8.3 Place Branding
Akron/Summit Branding Campaign: Invest in a large-scale branding campaign to showcase Akron/Summit as a place where arts, culture, entertainment, and recreation are at the core of its identity. (E, $$$$)
Neighborhood Identity: Each of Akron’s 24 neighborhoods has its own unique history and identity. Marketing and communicating these identities locally, regionally, and statewide will further resource and advocate for our neighborhoods. (E, $$$$)
Local Media: Invest and support organizations, projects, and reporters that are working to build and reestablish impactful, sustainable, local journalism in a digital age. Narrative matters and a strong sector is inclusive of strong, local media. (X, P, $$$$)
8.4 ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS
Environmental Planning: Work with partners to ensure cultural events and organizations are incorporating environmental efforts within the project planning process and are resourced. (X, P, $$$)
Efforts should include:
Energy Efficiency & Consumption: Organizations and events should work to lower their energy consumption, at a minimum.
Water: Ensure a plan is in place to minimize unnecessary wastewater, disposal, and potential pollution through sustainable water management.
Waste water containers to prevent contaminated water from being dumped on the ground.
Eco-friendly cleaning products to prevent pollution of water.
Water recycling to reduce wastewater and transform it into non-potable water to be used.
Food: Source food ethically and locally to reduce food miles, reducing the overall carbon footprint of food.
Travel & Transportation: Prioritize the utilization of public transportation, walking, biking, and ride-sharing over personal vehicle use while minimizing the use of on-site vehicles. When selecting travel and transportation, prioritize low-emission options.
Facilities: Prioritize facilities and locations for cultural events and organizations that have a low carbon footprint.
Waste Reduction & Management: Reducing potential waste in packaging, printing, food, and water. Ensure a plan for waste management is resourced in the plan. This plan would include, at a minimum: reducing potential waste, recycling, composting, and responsible systems for landfill diversion.
Landscape Assessment: Support and engage Summit County Sustainability Task Force to ensure a comprehensive assessment occurs to benchmark current practices. (E, $$$$)
Creative Gardening: Food and food security is core to our collective culture. We must invest in our city’s future through edible parks, sustainable permaculture systems, native plantings, and community gardens. (P, X, $$$)
Advocacy: Educate and resource policymakers in government, companies, schools, and nonprofits to impact and improve waste management systems and climate-friendly practices at the homeowner/apartment dweller level. Partner with organizations such as Hands on Sustainability to access these resources and best practices. (X, P, $$$)