HomeMy Public PortalAboutMethodology.docMETHODOLOGY
To fulfill its mission, the Fine Arts Commission has taken specific action steps to meet the goals outlined as Powers and Duties in the City Code.
In July, 2005, an abbreviated strategic planning session was held with two officials from the Georgia Council for the Arts, Susan Weiner, Director, and Karen Lawton, Community Arts Manager.
Determination was made to retain a consultant with experience in strategic planning for public entities, arts council development and cultural and eco-tourism development.
The Tybee Island Fine Arts Commission secured a $5,000 grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts, matched by the City of Tybee Island, to conduct strategic planning leading to a Cultural
Plan.
The consulting firm of Blackmarr, Tibbetts & Associates of Tifton, Georgia was contracted to develop the plan from January 1 - June 30, 2006.
(Resume in Appendix.)
A two-day intensive planning session was conducted with members of the Fine Arts Commission February 1-2, 2006, concentrating on specific areas defined in the Georgia Council for the
Arts grant application.
This session laid the foundation for a series of Focus Group meetings to involve Tybee citizens. Potential participants were identified to represent a broad cross section of Tybee. They
included full and part-time residents, arts organizations and artists, educators, food service workers, businessmen and women, the Tourism Council, realtors, developers and the media.
(Complete list in Appendix.)
Six Focus Groups with 59 participants were held March 28, 29 and 30, 2006 to explore the six topics identified in the planning session:
Preserving, promoting and celebrating native arts and coastal low country traditions while maintaining quirky, unique Tybee
Developing strategic alliances among organizations
Ensuring access to venues and program, and promoting diversity within the arts on Tybee
Enhancing arts for youth
Developing a marketing strategy for the arts on Tybee
Securing the commitment of the public and private sector for arts development
Surveys were presented in the Tybee Breeze and the Tybee News, at strategic points in the community, and at all six Focus Groups. A copy of the survey and the results are included in
the Appendix. Survey responses were analyzed and incorporated in the plan.
The six topics from the Focus Groups were used as the framework and served as goals for developing the plan. Input from the participants was incorporated in the Positive Points and Missing
Elements for each topic.
These points were analyzed and recommendations were then developed which included ideas generated in the Focus Groups, as well as from the consultants' own experience and expertise.
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Quality Growth Team's plan for the City was studied for its relevance to the arts on Tybee. Certain recommendations related to that document are included in the Strategic Cultural Plan.