Cultural Arts Commission Seeks Community Input

The information below comes from the City of Highland Park.

The Highland Park Cultural Arts Commission invites community input at two open houses scheduled May 5 and 6.

Community input will be incorporated into the commission’s strategic plan that will ensure that the City’s arts-related efforts are aligned with the long-term vision and needs of the community. 

“We want to reflect our community’s desires as fully and accurately as possible,” James M. Lynch, chair of the Highland Park Cultural Arts Commission, said. “We know the arts drive economic development, acting as a magnet for visitors who spend time and money here. The arts also enhance the quality of life for community members, attracting new residents and businesses.” 

In the coming months, the commission will also inventory existing arts and cultural programs; consult with local businesses, arts and cultural organizations, and educators; survey the broader market for arts and culture in the northern suburbs; and work with civic leaders to gain their insights. The commission will also look at the role of arts in education. 

Once drafted, the plan will be presented for consideration and approval by the City Council. The plan will be used as a strategic decision-making tool and to measure success in integrating culture into the overall progress of Highland Park. 

“The future always brings change,” Lynch said. “The cultural plan will help us guide that change toward the goals and aspirations of our neighbors, those who are artists and those who are in the audience.” 

The Cultural Plan Open Houses will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Highland Park Police Station, 1677 Old Deerfield Road, and on Monday, May 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Arts Center, 1957 Sheridan Road. 

For more information on the Highland Park Cultural Arts Commission, the cultural plan, or the open houses, please contact Lee Smith, Senior Planner, at lsmith@cityhpil.com or 847-926-1612. 

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