Tool #5: Maximizing HOT
Maximizing the public investment in the arts is to the benefit of the larger community. There’s a terrific opportunity to connect with local stakeholders—artists and arts organizations, businesses (including hotels), tourism officials, other local leaders—to build a coalition interested in developing and implementing a strategic plan centered around the intersection of the arts and your local economy.
To begin a planning process, consider hosting a community meeting and invite as many local artists and arts leaders as possible. In this first meeting, set out to learn everything you can about the depth and breadth of the arts in your community, including collecting stories from attendees about the impact their art has on the community. Encourage attendees to bring visuals that can be assembled into a presentation for later meetings (see resources below).
After this initial meeting, gather the information, including all of the visuals, and assemble a document that shows what your community currently looks like and what it could look like with municipal support of the arts. With this document in hand, broaden your outreach and host another meeting, this time inviting other municipal officials, local leaders, and businesses (including hotels), in addition to the arts leaders—a true gathering of stakeholders to consider the information you’ve already gathered, to further solidify partnerships, and to start developing a cultural plan (see resources below).
As you bring these stakeholders together, encourage arts leaders and hotel officials to read the Memorandum of Understanding between Texans for the Arts and the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association (THLA) for ways they might partner (see resources below).
While this may sound daunting, remember, you’re not alone! Connect with other municipal leaders in Texas who’ve already been through this process. They can be an invaluable resource. Also, reach out to Texans for the Arts Foundation when you’re ready to begin the strategic planning process. Our staff is ready to answer questions and offer additional resources for you to explore.
Toolkit Tip:
As you build a coalition of stakeholders, provide opportunities for feedback from all participants and provide an ongoing forum on social media or elsewhere to capture new ideas and additional information.
