Reading Arts & Culture Action Plan
In 2024, the Town of Reading partnered with MAPC to create an Arts & Culture Action Plan, supported by a Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Technical Assistance grant.
The plan builds on a 2014 cultural district exploratory study and highlights Reading’s cultural assets, arts leaders, and community organizations. Community engagement invited residents to envision a future for arts and culture in Reading, identify needs of existing organizations, and provide recommendations for strengthening the local arts community.
The final plan document is under final review and will be posted both on the Town of Reading website and here soon. Stay tuned!
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Project Goals
MAPC’s research and project engagement provided a baseline inventory of Reading's arts and cultural assets and needs by reviewing existing conditions and policy priorities, identifying arts and cultural programming and resources, and conducting a cultural asset inventory and engagement with Reading's arts and culture community.
A Reading Arts and Culture Action Plan identifies strategies to bring the Vision to fruition and provide a set of policy goals and recommendations that align arts investments in Downtown Reading to support an equitable thriving arts and cultural life for everyone in Reading’s community.
The process of cultural planning fosters deliberate future investment and collaboration with arts and culture in future planning and policy priorities, including cultural facilities and downtown creative placemaking efforts.
Vision Statement
The cultural planning process was guided by a proposed Vision Statement drafted by the Reading Arts and Culture Action Plan Working Group.
“Our vision is to create an inclusive and vibrant arts and culture community in Reading, where diverse programming reflects the richness of our community's experiences.”
Partners
Lead Partners
- Town of Reading's Planning Division with the Community Development Director Planning Division | Reading, MA
- Reading Arts and Culture Action Plan Working Group: Michelle Aguillon, Emelia Attridge, Jennifer Barsotti, Michelle Filleul, Christine Keller, Matt Krauneily, Joe Leto, Betsy Schneider, Jon Taubman, and Liz Whitelam.
- MAPC Arts and Culture Department Arts & Culture | MAPC
Project Funding
The Town of Reading received a Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Technical Assistance grant to support the project and hired MAPC to lead the planning process.