Arts & Nonprofits Committee - Cultural Plan Subcommittee

In December 2021, the Blue Ribbon Committee on Arts and Nonprofits, established to assist that sector in pandemic recovery, made a report to the City Council.

One of the recommendations in the report was, “The extension of this Blue Ribbon Committee for 24 months (the duration of the incoming City Council’s term) to work with city staff to develop budgets and oversee the above projects and to create a new cultural plan for the city of Portsmouth

  1. It is the Blue Ribbon Committee’s hope that a cultural plan would determine the need and structure of any permanent arts commission for the city of Portsmouth.
  2. As was the case in 2002, we believe that key aspects of a new cultural plan could be adopted into the City’s 2035 Master Plan.
2002 Cultural Plan

Progress

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In January 2022, the City Council created the Portsmouth Arts & Nonprofits Committee as a successor, appointed Councilor Kate Cook as their representative on the Committee and approved the Cultural Plan project giving the City Manager authority to identify available funding.

In February, the City Council gave their unanimous consent for the City Manager’s identification of funds with the flexibility to get the process started. process so that all of the community plays a role in the result.

On March 28, 2022, the Committee met with the 2002 Cultural Plan Co-Chairs Chris Dwyer and Ellen Fineberg to learn about the creation of the first Cultural Plan in 2002, the process, the early stages and what the next steps should be in creating a new Cultural Plan. (Go to March 28 special meeting minutes and video recording)

“The 2002 Cultural Plan included a long list of community focus group members and that it’s important that this be a community effort,” said Arts & Nonprofits Committee co-chairs Russ Grazier and Barbara Massar.  

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: I’m not a Portsmouth resident, but can I apply to be a part of the Cultural Plan committee?
A: When completing the application, where you’re asked how long you’ve been a resident, please detail your connections to the city’s arts & cultural community, i.e. I’m a business owner, I work in an arts/cultural nonprofit, etc.

Q: How long will the group meet to complete the Cultural Plan?
A: At this point, it is our commitment to begin meeting in 2022, and complete the work by December 31, 2023.

Q: How often, and when, will the group meet?
A: The main Cultural Plan Committee will, most likely, meet monthly, and possibly shift to more frequent meetings as needed. There will also be breakout groups – subgroups of the committee – that will set their own schedules, and report back to the main committee.

To access the application for consideration, go to the City’s Board/Commission/Committee application.