Prince George’s County

Cultural Arts Study

A study that explores how arts and culture can transform our community, spark economic growth, and unite residents across Prince George’s County.

The Arts Are the Heartbeat of Our Communityβ€”Let’s Make It Thrive

Learn how the arts play a crucial role in the economic and social vitality of Prince George’s County. This study provides a roadmap to ensure the arts are at the center of our future.

On behalf of the Prince George’s County Planning Department, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC), we are pleased to present the Prince George’s County Cultural Arts Study. This comprehensive study highlights the significant role of arts and culture in our County’s growth, economic development, and community planning.

Explore the findings and insights of this groundbreaking work, which will help shape the future of the arts in Prince George's County for years to come.

Discover how the insights from the Cultural Arts Study are actively shaping our community by exploring current initiatives in Art in Public Places and Creative Placemakingβ€”key areas where the study’s impact is already being felt today.

The Process: Collaboration, Research, and Community Engagement

The Prince George’s County Cultural Arts Study (PGCCAS) is the result of collaboration between key stakeholders including the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Lord Cultural Resources, led by Joy Bryant. Over the course of 18 months, the study team worked diligently to gather insights, analyze data, and meet with community members, all aimed at integrating the arts more strategically into the County’s economic development and land use planning.

To learn more about how this study came together, scroll on for a deeper dive into
the study’s phases and our community’s involvement.

Research

The PGCCAS began by assessing the County’s cultural assets and economic contributions. Through data from previous reports such as the β€˜Arts & Economic Prosperity 5’ by Americans for the Arts, we gained insight into the economic impact of the arts and culture sector in Prince George’s County.

The research phase also involved gathering data on the diverse cultural assets in the area and evaluating how the arts contribute to the County’s economy, education, and social fabric.

Public Engagement

Community engagement was a central component of the study, with multiple opportunities for residents, artists, and organizations to participate. The study team hosted town hall meetings and conducted surveys to gather feedback and understand the needs of the arts community in Prince George’s County.

Through these conversations, we were able to create a clearer picture of how cultural organizations and stakeholders contribute to the economic and social landscape of the County.

To view the community meetings held during the study process, please view the Past Meetings section below.

Cultural Arts Plan

Once all data was collected and analyzed, the study culminated in the creation of a comprehensive Cultural Arts Plan. This plan outlines actionable strategies and recommendations designed to position the arts as a central element of Prince George’s County’s economic and cultural growth.

By leveraging the insights gathered from public engagement and research, the plan aims to enhance community access to arts resources, foster collaboration across sectors, and create sustainable pathways for economic development driven by the arts.

Past Meetings: A Collaborative Journey

Throughout the study, numerous meetings were held with community members, artists, and stakeholders to ensure that the study was reflective of the voices and needs of those directly involved in the arts and culture sector.

October 24, 2020 - Virtual Community Kickoff Meeting

  • Take the PGCCAS survey in English or Spanish. (Available through June 25, 2021)

  • View/Download PGCCAS Community Meeting Presentation

  • View PGCCAS Community Meeting Video

January 28, 2021 - Town Hall Meeting on The Impact of Cultural Arts on Economic Development:

February 18, 2021 - Town Hall Meeting on The Role of the Arts in Creative Placemaking

June 9, 2021 - Town Hall Meeting: The Hispanic/Latino Community and the Arts

ReuniΓ³n de la Comunidad Virtual del Estudio de las Artes Culturales del Condado de Prince George’s: La comunidad hispana/latina y las artes: Ver video

November 18, 2021 - Town Hall Meeting To Present The Draft Prince George’s County Cultural Arts Study To County Residents and Stakeholders. 

18 de noviembre de 2021 - ReuniΓ³n De La Comunidad Virtual Del Estudio De Las Artes Culturales Del Condado De Prince George’s: Borrador Final Del Informe. 

Study Partner Leads

Rhonda Dallas - Executive Dir. & Chief Curator Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council

Vanessa Akins - Special Program Coordinator, Community Planning M-NCPPC

Darlene Watkins - Division Chief, Arts & Cultural Heritage Division M-NCPPC

Study Consultant Team

Joy Bailey Bryant - Project Lead

Joy Bailey Bryant is President & Managing Partner at Lord Cultural Resources. She is a specialist in municipal engagement regarding culture. Ms. Bryant is a certified interpretive planner and outreach facilitator who works with city officials, leaders of institutes, developers. She has worked with leaders in global hubs including Chicago, New York, Dhaka Bangladesh, and Dharan, Saudi Arabia to develop creative plans for cities. As the Project Lead for the Prince George’s County Cultural Arts Study, she will lead the effort of collecting the information and data necessary for us to develop a comprehensive Cultural Arts Plan.

Eve Ortega, M.P.A. - Project Manager

Eve Ortega is a Senior Director at Lord Cultural Resources with over two decades of experience in art advocacy, contemporary art, public television, and arts education. She has consulted for many arts organizations including the Bronx Museum where she served as Acting Deputy Director. She also consulted for Montefiore Medical Center’s Fine Art Programs, and Residency Unlimited. She has also advocated for the role of arts and culture during New York City’s rezoning process for the Gowanus neighborhood. We are excited to have a strong and seasoned Project Manager.

Tiffany Lyons - Research Consultant

Tiffany Lyons provides essential support to consultants with report writing and background research for environmental scans and data analysis. She works collaboratively to provide accurate, insightful, strategic recommendations and content that are solutionΒ­based and grounded in thorough and comprehensive research methods. Projects she has worked on include Strategic Planning for Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn Children's Museum and the Detroit Cultural Plan.

Working previously with II Museo del Duomo in Florence, Italy and The Rock Hall Museum in Long Island, New York. Tiffany brings to Lord Cultural Resources her knowledge of visitor relations and small museum administration and analytics. Tiffany is a graduate of Syracuse University where her studies focused on Women and Gender Studies.

Jon Stover - Economic Development Consultant

Jon Stover is the founder and Managing Partner of Jon Stover & Associates. Mr. Stover is an expert in neighborhood revitalization and public-private economic development initiatives. He specializes in real estate market analysis; fiscal and economic impact analysis; development feasibility; inter-agency coordination; and economic development strategies. Mr. Stover has secured, planned, and directed projects working for and partnering with hundreds of county agencies, city departments, community groups, non-profit organizations, universities, neighborhood stakeholder organizations, real estate developers and private business owners. β€‹

Working with economic development nonprofits is a particular niche for Jon. Much of this work has involved helping Main Streets, BIDs, business associations, and other organizations commence or enhance their operations, understand their neighborhood and constituents, and develop and implement strategies to help local businesses thrive. 

Aaron King - Economic Development Consultant

Aaron King began working with Jon Stover & Associates in 2015 and has successfully completed projects relating to corridor revitalization, market analysis, nonprofit feasibility, and community engagement.  Mr. King combines his background in public policy and community development to directly assist in all aspects of the firm’s work, including project management, market research, community outreach, and business development.  

Stan Wall - HR & A Advisors

Stan Wall joined HR&A as a Partner in their Washington D.C. office in August 2015 after holding several senior positions in the mid-Atlantic region. In his previous posts, Stan worked across the entire real estate project lifecycle including strategy, planning, finance, development, and construction.

Download The Full Study

We invite you to dive deeper into the findings of the Prince George’s County Cultural Arts Study. By reviewing the full study, you’ll better understand the findings, recommendations, and strategies that will shape the future of arts and culture in Prince George’s County.