The Annapolis Arts Plan
The economic return on investment in arts and culture is quantifiable, and the resulting impact on education, public art, and civic pride is invaluable.
The arts of Annapolis enrich the quality of life for the entire community. They serve as an important economic engine for business, create jobs, and enhance City tax revenues. They are the cornerstone of a thriving, dynamic city.
We believe it is essential to support this rich creative environment with a vigorous plan that will help it face current challenges related to space, funding, and coordination – challenges that are threatening the health of the arts sector and keeping it from reaching its true potential. Together, we seek to implement the Annapolis Arts Plan, which will benefit arts, culture, tourism, and the greater community.
On behalf of the entire Annapolis arts community and in partnership with the City’s Economic Development and Comprehensive Planning offices, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel, and Visit Annapolis, the Annapolis Arts District recently convened and supported a nine-month effort to organize and introduce a multiyear Annapolis arts strategy. Its goal is to boost the arts sector's economic impact across the City through a purposeful coordination of planning and resource allocation.
In addition to conducting an online survey of Annapolis’s arts, cultural, entertainment, and arts-related organizations, we conducted in-person listening sessions with representatives of these groups to understand and document their needs, priorities and plans for future growth. We also referenced the Soul of the City arts report issued in 2017, as well as the City’s own Annapolis Ahead 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
As a result of this work, the Annapolis Arts Committee was formed, including constituents from our arts, cultural, entertainment, business, and government organizations.
Together, we seek to implement the following strategic plan, which will benefit arts, culture, tourism, and the greater community.
This Annapolis Arts Plan outlines objectives and actions to guide civic and elected leaders in fostering a flourishing arts ecosystem. Informed by feedback from artists and cultural organizations, this strategy sets four goals to support the creative sector’s capacity-building efforts.
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Objective:
Establish citywide arts leadership.
Actions:
Establish an Annapolis Arts Plan Committee representing Annapolis arts organizations, individuals and city representatives.
Advocate for the funding of a dedicated City Arts and Culture Liaison.
Strengthen the collaborative partnership between the City and the Annapolis Arts District as an arts umbrella agency.
Produce a report on the arts’ economic and social impact in support of the Annapolis Arts Plan.
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Objective:
Support the development of affordable and accessible rehearsal, studio, performance, gallery and live-work spaces.
Actions:
Lead efforts to develop underutilized properties into art spaces.
Create a database of repurposable spaces for arts use.
Develop a district plan for preserving and expanding arts spaces along the West Street corridor, as well as public realm improvements that can help to connect these assets and form a more coherent and walkable arts, cultural, and entertainment district.
Accommodate an annual audit of arts-related capital needs and successes and publish a report for funding prioritization.
Improve parking accessibility and affordability for audiences and especially for performing artists, including load in/load out needs, so that performances at smaller Annapolis venues are affordable for all.
Explore the potential for developing a Creative Land Trust.
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Objective:
Secure increased funding for capacity-building efforts. Financial stability and consistent support are essential for arts organizations to sustain operations, develop projects, and enhance infrastructure.
Actions:
Clarify the process for the Art in Public Places Commission’s funding of public arts programs.
Work with the Annapolis City Council and Annapolis Planning & Zoning Department to implement a “percentage-for-the-arts” initiative, requiring a portion of development budgets be directed to city arts.
Advocate for increased financial investment through grants, sponsorships, and municipal support.
Market the tax benefits of working, selling, and living in the Annapolis Arts & Entertainment District to developers and artists.
Improve the accessibility and maintenance of performance spaces so that they are affordable to artists and attendees of their events.
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Objective:
Elevate Annapolis as an arts destination and attract new audiences.
Actions:
Strengthen digital campaigns and cross-promotional partnerships with Visit Annapolis and the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County.
Convene the marketing staffs of arts organizations on a regular basis to share information and collaborative opportunities.
Secure funding for an annual signature cross-discipline arts festival to boost tourism and local artist support.
Collectively support the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County’s integrated website as a central hub for arts events, grant applications, and networking.
Encourage public engagement through open studio events and public art projects.
For more on the Annapolis Arts Plan, contact annapolisartsdistrict@gmail.com
Annapolis Mayor-elect Jared Littmann shared his views on the importance of supporting the arts in Annapolis at an Arts District event on October 9. Here's what he had to say: