Cultural Council Agenda and Packet 2022 02 10

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In 2013 the City of Louisville created a new Comprehensive Plan, to "integrate and align governing regulations, infrastructure investments and City services with community values, needs and Civic priorities." With regards to arts and culture, the plan laid out the City's vision to formalize their involvement with arts and culture by stating: "The City promotes the public and private advancement of the arts and culture to strengthen the quality of life and small town character of Louisville by encouraging the development of a City- wide Arts and Cultural Master Plan aimed at integrating the arts, culture and humanities with urban design, economic development, education and other community development initiatives." --City of Louisville Comprehensive Plan PRINCIPLE CS-6 [Appendix 11 This direction is in alignment with other communities in Boulder County and throughout the region who have adopted Arts Master Plans in recent years including the City of Boulder (2015) Greeley (2013), Fort Collins (2008), Brighton (2015) and Lakewood (2013). History of Louisville Arts and Culture Festivals and community celebrations have a long and beloved history in Louisville. The annual Fourth of July Fireworks have been run by the City since the early 1900's. The Labor Day Parade has been an annual celebration since 1935. Since their inception, these important civic and cultural events have been supported by the City, residents and local businesses. In the early days of Louisville, performing and visual arts remained largely informal. In 1973, the City of Louisville converted the old schoolhouse at 801 Grant Ave into a community center and began to make the space available for arts activities. It was not until 1980 that a group of 10 Louisville visual artists came together and formed the Louisville Art Association, which is generally considered one of the first formal art organizations in Louisville. The Louisville Historical Museum was established in 1986, becoming the first dedicated cultural facility in Louisville. In 1988, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District was founded to provide funding to cultural organizations in the Denver Metro area. The City of Louisville saw the potential for funding through SCFD to enhance local arts and cultural programming and formed the Arts and Humanities Council in 1989. The Council (now referred to as the Louisville Cultural Council) programs cultural events in Louisville and advises City Council on matters related to art and culture [Appendix 2]. Throughout the 1990's and early 2000's, new local arts organizations continued to form, offering increased opportunities for arts participation by residents and visitors. Around the same time, downtown business Timeline of Louisville Art Organizations 1980 - The Louisville Arts Association 1986 - Louisville Historical Museum 1986 - Mountain Contemporary Dance Arts 1989 - Louisville Arts & Humanities Council 1990 -Coal Creek Theatre of Louisville 1990 - CenterStage Theater of Colorado 1997 - Mudslinger's Studios 2004 — Dance Etoile Ballet 2007 - The Art Underground 2008 - Dana V. Music 2009 — Louisville Art District owners were struggling and looking for new opportunities to bring potential restaurant patrons and retail shoppers to the downtown. 3