Social and Cultural Vibrancy Working Group Discussion + Mindmap Video

Social and Cultural Vibrancy Working Group
Carnegie Stout Library Auditorium
February 21st, 2017 | 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

The ‘Social and Cultural Vibrancy Working Group’ took place on February 21st at Carnegie Stout Library. The purpose of the working group was to identify and prioritize issues, and get input to help guide the upcoming Social and Cultural Vibrancy Workshop to be held on April 19th at The Smokestack.

Bob Barber, project consultant with Orion Planning + Design, led and facilitated group discussion while Mike Hoffman, with Teska Associates, took notes of the specific ideas and Erin Cigliano, with Teska Associates, graphically depicted the ideas via a MindMap on a large 15-foot white board (see video below).

Social + Cultural Vibrancy MindMap

What is a MindMap? A mindmap is a graphical representation of ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structure information, helping to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas. Just as in every great idea, its power lies in its simplicity.

*** Click here to RSVP for the Social + Cultural Vibrancy Workshop | April 19th @ The Smokestack ***

Vibrancy

“Filled with energy or activity: the vibrant streets of a big city. Vigorous, lively, and vital: “a vibrant group that challenged the … system” (Free Dictionary)

Current Dubuque planning identifies the following as contributors to social and cultural vibrancy: Cultural Arts, Diversity, Education, Health, Housing, Human Services, Recreation, and Public Safety. What does Social and Cultural Vibrancy mean in the context of these community factors?

Being open, inclusive, tolerant
Engaging the community at all levels
Providing opportunity to engage
Events that address all segments of Dubuque’s culture
Celebrating the beautify of life and access to those celebrations
There is cultural abundance in Dubuque but there are geographical barriers to overcome/ the DT bluff divide is a big one

How is Dubuque doing in the realm of Social and Cultural Vibrancy?

On a scale of 1 to 10, an 8 or a 9
Is growing, improving. There is a lot going on, but people don’t know it
Dubuque could be competitive with larger markets like Madison
Dubuque has increased success in cultural activity through private investment in the arts and through its partnerships but public investment has not increased
Dubuque needs an overall organizing principle
Walkability is key to cultivating a sense of vibrancy
Quality and insightful social services contributes
We need to encourage all forms of cultural expression
Example, Marshallese cannot afford meeting space to have their birthday parties
Communication is inadequate to poor and minorities
Need to overcome “That’s the way it has always been done” mentality
“Still missing a sense of welcome”

What experiences could be created or reinforced that would express a common celebration of diversity?

Taste of Dubuque appeals to all cultures and socio-economic groups
Multi-cultural center could be better utilized
Example – Farmers Market has worked hard to include lower income groups through access and affordability. Been very difficult to determine exactly what the barriers are
There are the factors of mobility, relatability, education levels, fear, distorted view of what culture means
Need to increase partnerships
Increase art of access in Dubuque
Arts camp for a week
Neighborhood Concerts
Initiate a Cultural Endowment Fund
Continue to advocate for more public investment
Create a walkable event the entire length of downtown
We need a signature event
Key to attracting diverse groups is getting kids involved
Barriers to common celebration of diversity include topography (the bluff), transportation (hours and cost), cost of event, distorted view of culture (for example, incorrect perception that whites are not welcome at a Juneteenth celebration)
Recommended video “What happens when you don’t put people in boxes” from Denmark

For cultural “producers” are there key neighborhoods or amenities now present? Any needed?

Millwork District
Washington neighborhood
Most artists have day jobs – bi -vocational
People seem unwilling to pay and seem entitled
Arts funding in schools is decreasing, this is a nationwide problem
Lack of gathering space on the west side

Community Workshop Idea Scoping

Reach to all groups
Create table of interests and have people find table to encourage cross cultural dialog
Have a variety of cultural foods
Music or art display or some uniqueness to atmosphere