Seven years after Worcester adopted a blueprint for strengthening the city’s arts and cultural life, officials are asking the community what should come next.
The city has launched an update of its cultural plan, a months-long process that examines progress since the 2019 Becoming Worcester Cultural Plan and establish new priorities for arts, culture and the creative economy through 2032.
Residents and others connected to Worcester have quite a few opportunities to weigh in, beginning with a community survey launched Aug. 26. The city is seeking responses from a broad range of participants, including artists, creative workers, students, businesses, cultural organizations and people who attend and support arts and cultural activities.
“Worcester’s cultural community is one of the things that makes our city such a vibrant and distinctive place to live, work and visit,” City Manager Eric Batista said in the announcement. “This cultural plan update is an opportunity to listen, reflect on what we’ve accomplished together, and identify the priorities that will help Worcester’s arts, culture, and creative economy continue to grow.”
The updated plan is intended to assess what has been accomplished under the 2019 plan, identify emerging needs and opportunities and create a practical roadmap for the next five years.
The original Becoming Worcester Cultural Plan grew out of a citywide planning process and established goals for expanding participation in Worcester’s cultural life, supporting artists and creative businesses and strengthening the role of arts and culture in the city.
This time, officials are again emphasizing community participation as a central part of the process.
“The success of this plan depends on hearing from the people who make up Worcester’s creative community and the residents who experience and support it every day,” Jonathan Cohen, vice president of community impact at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, said in the announcement.
Cohen said the city is looking for input not only from people who work professionally in arts and culture, but also from residents who participate in and support Worcester’s cultural scene.
City Cultural Development Officer Fabian Barracks said in the announcement that the update is intended to reflect both how Worcester has changed and where its cultural community wants to go next.
“As Worcester looks toward 2032, we have an opportunity to build on the momentum and creativity that have helped define the city’s cultural landscape,” Barracks said. “We want this updated plan to reflect where Worcester is today while also providing a practical vision for where we want to go next.”
The city’s Cultural Development Division brings the planning effort into the community over the coming weeks. Staff members will be available at the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market on the Worcester Common on Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, as well as Worcester Pride on Sept. 12, where visitors can ask questions, offer input and complete the survey.
People can also complete the survey online. Participants have the option of entering a drawing for one of two prize packages, each valued at more than $75 and provided by Worcester cafes, restaurants and service providers.
The cultural plan update is expected to continue through January 2027. Keen Independent Research, a national consulting firm specializing in arts and culture, community planning and economic development, is assisting the city with the project.
Residents can also provide input or ask questions by calling the study hotline at 602-767-7067 or emailing WorcesterCulturalPlanUpdate@keenindependent.com.
More information and the community survey are available through the city’s cultural plan website.
