Res 2022-055R/Arts Master Plan approval

Home Browse Search

Improving infrastructure, e.g., buildings, parking. “A visually pleasing downtown is something I would like to see.” Maximizing what already exists in the community. I. Recommendations for the City’s Investment of Time, Energy and Funding Keen Independent asked interviewees where the City should invest its time, energy and funding to improve arts and culture. General insights. A few interviewees provided general comments regarding the City’s approach to improving arts and culture in San Marcos. There should be a focus on “making things better than just okay.” “There are correct ways to do things and then there is the beautiful way.” Implementing the master plan when it’s done. \[City representative\] doesn’t feel the City should be the one doing that. Feels private institutions would do a better job. Funding, grants and other City resources.Many Interviewees expressed a need for more financial resources. More funding would be helpful. Bigger commitment to funding to help expand the offerings. The City could do more to advertise and promote. We can’t get donations from the White community. We need additional funds. A dedicated budget for the arts would help us get the word out about our events and other cultural events. Upping the budget overall. There are a lot of cities who have a strong arts presence because they have a tax percentage that goes into a public art fund to invest in quality public art and pay artists well for it. One percent for new construction tax would help make it a priority. The chamber might be a great partner. Having the funds available. Maybe having a presentation to how they can take advantage of placemaking. Grant programs that incentivize things that are hard to find, like collaboration. A grant where collaborators are required. What the City is doing for arts and culture now needs to be reimagined. Our \[City\] budget hasn’t kept up. Incentives are needed to open up new spaces. If the City had an effective person to work with grants. Would prefer to see that go to individuals and business to put up murals. Utilizing other funding sources, like they do in other cities in Texas. Looking at other communities and how much they take from HOT tax. San Marcos has great architecture, promoting heritage through architecture and the architects. City should have a friendly process for creative businesses to get started, rather than expecting new business owners to learn the ropes on their own. City should then have a mentoring program to guide new businesses so that they do not go under so quickly. KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH — SAN MARCOS ARTS MASTER PLAN 2022 APPENDIX E,PAGE 16