Worcester Wants Your Input on the City’s Cultural Future

What Should Worcester’s Cultural Future Look Like? 

By-Hank Stolz
Graphic-Radio Worcester

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Worcester, MA-The City of Worcester is refreshing its Cultural Plan, originally adopted in 2019, and is asking people throughout the community to help determine what Worcester’s cultural landscape should look like in the years ahead.

Shantelle Campbell, from the city’s Cultural Development Division, joined Radio Worcester to discuss the effort and why the city is looking beyond traditional definitions of arts and culture.

“We’re trying to just bring it to the bigger picture of economic development, community, identity, belonging. And we want to make sure Worcester is that place where you feel like you belong,” Campbell said.

Worcester Has Changed Since 2019

A lot has happened since the original Cultural Plan was developed. Worcester has experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, major downtown development, changing neighborhoods and continued growth in its arts and creative communities.

Campbell says the new plan needs to reflect what Worcester is today.

“I feel like culture is broader than just theater and music. It’s everything. There’s sports culture here, there’s food culture here. There’s work culture, people who work downtown or anywhere in Worcester, you want to create that bond with your community.”

What Came From the Previous Cultural Plan?

Campbell pointed to several visible initiatives that grew out of Worcester’s cultural development efforts, including public art and the utility box art wraps created in partnership with AlphaGraphics.

The city is preparing another round of utility box installations while continuing to support cultural programming and events such as the Festival of Lights.

The original 2019 Cultural Plan was designed to integrate arts and creativity into areas including public spaces, youth engagement, education, neighborhoods and economic development.

Worcester Wants to Know What Matters to You

Community participation is a central part of the Cultural Plan update.

The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes and asks participants to consider and rank priorities involving areas such as art, museums, festivals, youth programs and other parts of Worcester’s cultural life.

“Worcester is evolving every day. It’s important to get the perspective of the changing community,” Campbell said. “The neighborhoods have changed significantly since COVID as well.”

The city isn’t limiting participation to artists or people involved with cultural organizations. The broader goal is to hear from people who live, work, study, create, do business in or otherwise have a connection to Worcester.

There’s Also a Little Incentive

Campbell says people who complete the survey can also enter a prize drawing.

“As a little razzle dazzle bonus, we have some prizes that you can win. When you do complete the survey, you will be entered into the raffle.”

Prizes discussed during the interview include a 60-minute massage, a food gift certificate to Rio Viejo and tickets to Mechanics Hall.

How the Survey Will Help Shape Worcester’s Future

The Cultural Plan update will build on the plan adopted in 2019, evaluate what’s been accomplished and identify new priorities for arts, culture, creativity and Worcester’s creative economy.

The city’s current planning process is expected to continue through January 2027, with the updated roadmap intended to guide Worcester’s cultural priorities through 2032.

Community members can learn more and take the Cultural Plan Survey through the City of Worcester’s Cultural Plan Update page.