Plano’s Cultural Vision:
Strengthening community and enriching lives
Importance of the Arts in Plano
Plano’s art leaders, artists and patrons are united to advance the arts.
Plano has achieved much. However, much more needs to be done to extend the motto “City of Excellence” to equally apply to the arts. The arts are critical to Plano’s identity, strength of community, and quality of life.
The arts are much more than entertainment and aesthetics. Through the arts we share the human experience, we express our values, build memories, and develop life-long relationships. The arts allow us the celebrate our history, who we are, and who we aspire to be individually and collectively.
The arts are always in the making, be it visual arts, performing arts, culinary arts, architecture, literature, or simple storytelling. The arts know no bounds; everyone is an artist and there is opportunity for the arts in everything we do.
Social and Economic Impact
Plano has experienced amazing growth and transformation from a small farm community in 1960 to a major diverse and urban city today. Plano focused on ensuring the city’s infrastructure, open space, public safety, and educational needs. These accomplishments have earned the city many accolades.
Plano is now a maturing city, and its sustainability is directly tied to its quality of life. While quality of life is multidimensional, it is directly tied to a city’s artistic and cultural resources. A vibrant arts and cultural environment builds and enhances a sense of community for its citizens and businesses and creates long-lasting ties.
The economic benefits of arts and culture are well documented.
$6B
added to the Texas
economy annually by art
and cultural activities
30%
growth of the arts
portion of the Texas economy during the last decade
$23
spent per-event
by local attendees
(excluding admission)
$48
spent per-event
by non-local attendees (excluding admission)
Data provided by the Texas Culture Trust and Americans for the Arts.
A Collaborative Process for Developing an Arts Plan
The Collaborative Arts of Plano, Inc. (“CAP”) assembled a committee of leaders representing Plano’s numerous and diversified arts organizations – the Cultural Arts Plan of Plano Committee (the “Cultural Arts Plan Committee”). On October 20, 2022, after several months of organizational work with over 24 Plano arts organizations and community leaders, CAP presented a written Arts Plan Proposal to the City of Plano requesting the city council to charge the Cultural Arts Plan Committee with the responsibility of preparing the community’s Arts Plan in collaboration with the city.
The plan defined a vision that inspires. It is ambitious and broad in scope. At the same time, the plan recognizes the importance of the small and spontaneous to enriching the community. The goal of the plan is to enhance our organizations, financial resources and facilities. And, to build consensus on goals and priorities.
On behalf of CAP, the Cultural Arts Plan Committee defined an inclusive organizational framework for developing the plan, defining the scope of work, and securing the needed resources. The plan process also contemplated that the Cultural Arts Plan Committee coordinated closely with the City of Plano staff. Professional consultants were recommended to assist with consensus building, resource development and defining facility needs.
"The plan defined a vision that inspires. It is ambitious and broad in scope, while recognizing the importance of the small and spontaneous to enriching the community."
Plan Update
A consulting firm was engaged by the City of Plano. A draft of their recommendations will be unveiled in the spring of 2025.
Contact us.
Collaborative Arts of Plano
(Formerly the Plano Arts Coalition)
A Texas Non-Profit Organization
info@collaborativeartsofplano.org