Arts and Entertainment District Initial Steps

Arts and Entertainment District Initial Steps:

1.     Meet with property owners and members of the cultural, civic, business communities to discuss the Coyle Theater, cultural planning, methods, costs, benefits, and feasibility. Explain reasons for planning the merging of arts and entertainment into an economic development strategy for the borough.

2.     Meet with the Borough of Charleroi, Washington County planning agencies, Mon Valley Initiative and other public or private entities working on economic development. Secure authorization from elected officials for economic development planning.

3.     Identify information needs and sources; collect existing information (market analysis reports, Coyle Theater feasibility and theater related studies, economic development planning studies, historic preservation studies, economic development reports, other plans).

4.     Collect new information with interviews, focus groups, public meetings, and surveys.

Strategic Repositioning through Arts and Culture:

·       The Role of Culture and the Arts as it relates to Coyle Theater development

·       Engage community to recognize importance of culture, art and sense of place

·       Integrate arts, culture, and community economic development

·       Stimulate retail and hospitality trade through cultural tourism

·       Attract investment by creating live/work areas for artists

·       Diversify the local economy with additional arts retail locations

·       Work to improve historic properties and enhance values

·       Promote interaction in public space

·       Increase participation through celebrations and standard events

·       Engage youth population for ideas

·       Promote stewardship and sense of place

Process:

·       Assess situation and establish goals

·       Define the community

·       Identify strengths and leadership capacity

·       Identify community assets

·       Create a map of community assets

·       Identify and recruit effective partners

·       Develop expectations for potential partners

·       Build group cohesion

·       Identify project outcomes

·       Attach measures to outcomes

·       Generate a list of activities to include:

o   Theater Strategic Planning

o   Recruiting Artists, Art Businesses and industries

o   Enhancing creative and entertainment experiences

o   Preserving Local Heritage

o   Providing critical support to artists and cultural entities

o   Developing and promoting tourism initiatives

o   Indentify and work with presenting organizations

o   Expand funding and partnerships