Cultural Master Plan Launches Hispanic Culture Initiative
The City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) has funding available for programs aimed at using art and culture in creating discussions of diversity in our city.
OEWD and the Cultural Master Plan Advisory Board have issued a request for proposal to advance the Cultural Master Plan’s Hispanic Culture Initiative. To support this activity, $20,000 will be available for a single project or divided among multiple projects. Durham County-based for-profit and not-for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply. The application deadline is February 6, 2009.
The Cultural Master Plan project report of August 2004 states “over the years, Durham has held many community-wide discussions on matters that relate to racial harmony. The power of arts and culture to bring people together in positive ways has sometimes been overlooked in those discussions. As the make-up of diversity in Durham shifts, it will be increasingly important to identify positive ways to engage in discussions of diversity. Using arts and culture will be increasingly important … .”
The report, said Peter Coyle, Cultural Master Plan project manager with OEWD, encourages support to “encourage cultural organizations to produce bilingual marketing materials and engage in other nontraditional marketing approaches to reach new audiences.” It states “Of particular note is the growth of the Latino community to represent approximately 10 percent of Durham’s population. With such a presence, it is more important than ever for cultural organizations to identify audiences within that community … .”
Coyle said the report also emphasizes the development of programming to support a Latino cultural center.
To support opportunities in these areas, proposal evaluations will consider how programs encourage multi-cultural and intercultural opportunities and enhance opportunities for Latino cultural expression. The study will also evaluate participation by the Latino community the full range of Durham cultural offerings.
Support for Latino culture has been incorporated into other Cultural Master Plan projects, already completed. In 2008, the Cultural Master Plan project published a Spanish language version of its Durham Cultural Resource Directory. It is available in print for Latino service organizations, libraries and other organizations, and it can be downloaded from the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau web site at www.durhamculture.com. In 2007, the project provided pilot funding for the expansion of the Bull Durham Blues Festival to add a Latin blues component.
Funding proposals should offer opportunities for long-term growth of new or existing programs, administrative planning, training, facilities enhancements or infrastructure support. The Cultural Master Plan funds are not available to pay operating expenses. Proposals may directly support the administration of specific projects, or may provide education, training or other services for local program organizers.
The Cultural Master Plan is a joint project of the City and County of Durham.
About the Department of Economic and Workforce Development
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) seeks to increase the city’s tax base through several revitalization initiatives including new development efforts in the central city area; identifies and recruits target industries; and assesses/trains citizens to fill new jobs. For more information about this department, visit www.durhamnc.gov/departments/eed.
