Background

On October 21, 2021 during a City Council Work Session, the Durham Cultural Advisory Board shared a presentation on the board’s engagement efforts and conversations with arts and cultural community workers throughout 2021. Based on their findings, the board requested that the Durham City Council and Durham County Board of Commissioners jointly support the development of a new cultural plan.  To watch the board’s presentation, visit: https://durham.granicus.com/player/clip/2760?meta_id=405122.  

The Durham City Council and the Durham County Board of Commissioners entered a joint agreement to govern the development of the new Cultural Roadmap on October 3, 2022. The Cultural Roadmap planning process will be led by Durham Cultural Advisory Board, with input from the Cultural Roadmap Planning Group. This 35-member volunteer group will be appointed by the Durham Cultural Advisory Board and reflect the diversity of the Durham community. 

The Cultural Roadmap’s purpose is to survey the Durham community and develop a plan to further enhance Durham’s cultural and arts landscape, maximize resources, and provide a coordinated vision and collaboration among a variety of community, cultural, civic, and business partners. In late 2023, the Cultural Roadmap will be presented to both the Durham City Council and the Durham County Board of Commissioners. 

CULTURAL ROADMAP PLANNING GROUP  

The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group will help steer the Cultural Roadmap from the beginning of the planning process to the final recommended plan. The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group represents the public and private sector, philanthropy, neighborhoods, education, cultural groups, artists, cultural workers, and other creatives, in addition to young people.  The Cultural Roadmap Planning Group members were selected by the Durham Cultural Advisory Board through a robust application and review process.  All members of the group live and/or work in Durham.   

For more information, visit Durham Cultural Roadmap Planning Group.

Budget and Administration   

The Durham City Council and Durham County Commissioners have each appropriated $150,000 to fund this important planning process that will result in clear recommendations to maintain, support and grow the cultural community, both organizations and individual members, for the benefit of residents and visitors.   

In addition, Durham Cultural Advisory Board has solicited and received significant private donations from Durham’s philanthropic community in support of this effort. These funds will be used to support robust, interactive and creative community engagement and communications. City and County cultural and public art program staff will provide administrative support for the planning process. 

Cultural Planning Consultant Request for Proposals (RFP)

The City issued a Request for Proposals on December 22, 2022 and received eight complete proposals for review and consideration. A review panel of six residents and representatives of both the City and County, made their recommendation to the City and County leadership that AMS Planning and Research be awarded the consultant contract. The recommendation was also endorsed by the Durham Cultural Advisory Board.  

The Request for Proposal submission deadline has passed.  

The Request for Proposals document is posted here: https://www.durhamnc.gov/bids.aspx?bidID=1540  

2004 Cultural Plan Background

The Durham Cultural Master Plan (PDF), was approved by the City Council and Board of County Commissioners to advance numerous goals and strategies for success to be accomplished over a fifteen year period spanning 2004 to 2019.