For many the process of developing a strategic cultural plan is as important as the finished document, for the process builds community awareness, excitement, and involvement. An inclusive process that invites the participation of many people representing diverse constituencies and points of view paves the way for the plan to be adopted and implemented. Within the context of community planning, culture becomes a relevant issue to be discussed and debated, along with all other municipal concerns.

This work kit is designed for use by community cultural organizations, such as local arts agencies, councils or town planning associations, and by individuals who wish to organize grass-roots cultural planning efforts. It is also intended for community planners or cultural organizations contemplating facility development or new ventures.

If you are an individual working as a volunteer, board, or staff member for a cultural organization, you may wish to share the kit with your colleagues to determine if your organization or associates are ready to undertake a strategic cultural plan. If you work alone without benefit of an organizational umbrella, you will need to assemble a group of people who can work with you to lead a planning process. This kit suggests ideas about community members to involve.

The kit has been designed primarily for use in smaller communities by those who wish to embark on a cultural plan on their own with little or no outside assistance. It suggests a practical, manageable process that can be effectively led by an arts council or ad hoc committee. The concepts are just as applicable, however, in larger communities or in more formal contexts.

Many organizations and communities are intimidated by an undertaking of this scope and may opt to utilize outside consultants to guide and write the plan. If your organization is considering hiring a consultant, this volume may serve as an introduction to the process and clarify what a consultant can be expected to accomplish. Remember, as with a needs assessment, the process of finding the right match between consultant and community is critical to the project's success. Make sure the chemistry is right for you and your town.

This work kit can also be used by specific community-based organizations within a municipality as a guide to planning for new ventures that are dependent upon the community at large; for example, by a group wishing to start a performing or multiuse center or by established cultural organizations wishing to plan cooperatively for their mutual growth. The worksheets included should be adapted to the particular circumstances of the users.

CONTENTS
Introduction: How to use this work kit.
Begin with an assessment.

Chapter 1. Strategic cultural planning.

Why plan for culture?
Why plan strategically?
Key elements in cultural planning: Leadership.
Building support and validation.
Balancing vision and reality.
Artist participation.
Community participation.
Appropriate use of experts.
Media relations.
Balancing process and product.

Chapter 2. Components of a strategic cultural plan.

Assessment: the plan's foundation.
The mission statement.
Goals and objectives.
Sample strategies and action plans.
Strategies and action steps.
Financial plan.
Sample planning worksheet.
Sample financial planning worksheet.
A plan to plan checklist.

Chapter 3. The planning process.

Criteria for evaluating a plan to plan.

Planning step 1: Developing a planning framework.

Planning step 2: Setting a timeline and budget. 
                         Sample communication grid.
                         Sample project description. 
                         The budget.
                         Funding the plan.
                         Determining a consultant's role.

Planning step 3: Convening the steering committee.
                         Sample timeline for the planning process.
                         Orienting steering committee participants.
                         Criteria for participation in steering committee and
                         task forces and steering committee           
                         responsibilities.
                         Communication.
                         Draft letter to steering committee members.

Planning step 4: Initiating task force planning.

Planning step 5: Orienting project participants: the plenary meeting.
                         Task force leader job description.

Planning step 6: Task force planning. 
                         Tips for task force leaders.

Planning step 7: Reviewing preliminary task force findings. 
                         Sample task force worksheet.

Planning step 8: Refining recommendations.

Planning step 9: Circulating the draft plan.

Planning step 10: Collecting and incorporating public input.

Planning step 11: Distributing and publicizing the plan.

Chapter 4. Moving forward.

Implementing and monitoring the plan.

Post-planning step 1: Setting up for implementation.
                                Promoting cultural policy.

Post-planning step 2: Evaluating progress. 
                                Sample policy statements.

Post-planning step 3. Reassessing.

Appendix:
     A. Cultural planning issues: sample goals and strategies.
     B. List of cultural plans.
     C. Resources.

For many the process of developing a strategic cultural plan is as important as the finished document, for the process builds community awareness, excitement, and involvement. An inclusive process that invites the participation of many people representing diverse constituencies and points of view paves the way for the plan to be adopted and implemented. Within the context of community planning, culture becomes a relevant issue to be discussed and debated, along with all other municipal concerns.

This work kit is designed for use by community cultural organizations, such as local arts agencies, councils or town planning associations, and by individuals who wish to organize grass-roots cultural planning efforts. It is also intended for community planners or cultural organizations contemplating facility development or new ventures.

If you are an individual working as a volunteer, board, or staff member for a cultural organization, you may wish to share the kit with your colleagues to determine if your organization or associates are ready to undertake a strategic cultural plan. If you work alone without benefit of an organizational umbrella, you will need to assemble a group of people who can work with you to lead a planning process. This kit suggests ideas about community members to involve.

The kit has been designed primarily for use in smaller communities by those who wish to embark on a cultural plan on their own with little or no outside assistance. It suggests a practical, manageable process that can be effectively led by an arts council or ad hoc committee. The concepts are just as applicable, however, in larger communities or in more formal contexts.

Many organizations and communities are intimidated by an undertaking of this scope and may opt to utilize outside consultants to guide and write the plan. If your organization is considering hiring a consultant, this volume may serve as an introduction to the process and clarify what a consultant can be expected to accomplish. Remember, as with a needs assessment, the process of finding the right match between consultant and community is critical to the project's success. Make sure the chemistry is right for you and your town.

This work kit can also be used by specific community-based organizations within a municipality as a guide to planning for new ventures that are dependent upon the community at large; for example, by a group wishing to start a performing or multiuse center or by established cultural organizations wishing to plan cooperatively for their mutual growth. The worksheets included should be adapted to the particular circumstances of the users.

CONTENTS
Introduction: How to use this work kit.
Begin with an assessment.

Chapter 1. Strategic cultural planning.

Why plan for culture?
Why plan strategically?
Key elements in cultural planning: Leadership.
Building support and validation.
Balancing vision and reality.
Artist participation.
Community participation.
Appropriate use of experts.
Media relations.
Balancing process and product.

Chapter 2. Components of a strategic cultural plan.

Assessment: the plan's foundation.
The mission statement.
Goals and objectives.
Sample strategies and action plans.
Strategies and action steps.
Financial plan.
Sample planning worksheet.
Sample financial planning worksheet.
A plan to plan checklist.

Chapter 3. The planning process.

Criteria for evaluating a plan to plan.

Planning step 1: Developing a planning framework.

Planning step 2: Setting a timeline and budget. 
                         Sample communication grid.
                         Sample project description. 
                         The budget.
                         Funding the plan.
                         Determining a consultant's role.

Planning step 3: Convening the steering committee.
                         Sample timeline for the planning process.
                         Orienting steering committee participants.
                         Criteria for participation in steering committee and
                         task forces and steering committee           
                         responsibilities.
                         Communication.
                         Draft letter to steering committee members.

Planning step 4: Initiating task force planning.

Planning step 5: Orienting project participants: the plenary meeting.
                         Task force leader job description.

Planning step 6: Task force planning. 
                         Tips for task force leaders.

Planning step 7: Reviewing preliminary task force findings. 
                         Sample task force worksheet.

Planning step 8: Refining recommendations.

Planning step 9: Circulating the draft plan.

Planning step 10: Collecting and incorporating public input.

Planning step 11: Distributing and publicizing the plan.

Chapter 4. Moving forward.

Implementing and monitoring the plan.

Post-planning step 1: Setting up for implementation.
                                Promoting cultural policy.

Post-planning step 2: Evaluating progress. 
                                Sample policy statements.

Post-planning step 3. Reassessing.

Appendix:
     A. Cultural planning issues: sample goals and strategies.
     B. List of cultural plans.
     C. Resources.