Press Release Fact Sheet

Freeport Cultural Plan

Plan Objectives
1) Assess the importance of arts and cultural activities, events and participation to Freeport area
residents and leaders in government, business, tourism, education, economic and community
development.
Desired Result: Determine values and synergies that may be captured and employed to enhance
the creative economy and quality of life in the Town.

2) Understand what Freeport residents and visitors think about access to and participation in new
and existing arts and cultural resources.
Desired result: Increase access and participation of residents and visitors to local arts and
culture.

3) Assess Freeport’s image and reputation and determine how the Town’s arts and cultural
resources contribute to the image.
Desired Result: Determine how arts and culture resources create a positive image and creative
brand for Freeport.

4) Survey the arts and cultural activities underway nationally.

Desired Result: Identify and assess strategies Freeport might adopt and implement.

5) Deliver a strategic plan with effective strategies to enhance and support the further development
of arts and cultural opportunities and support the creative economy of the Town.
Desired Result: Determine what it will take to achieve sustainable results and to propose a plan
with effective solutions and systems that will allow the Town to expedite its implementation.

Qualitative Data Collection

A public “Launch Meeting” and three public “Community Conversations” were held to collect
perceptions of strengths, opportunities, aspirations and realities of existing arts and cultural
resources. The meetings were held in 2016 in Freeport.

Quantitative Data Collection

Three surveys were issued. Including a Public Opinion Survey, Artist and Performer Survey, and
Cultural Organization and Creative Business Survey. Surveys are available online at
Survey hard copies are available at the Freeport Town Office, Freeport Public Library, Casco bay
YMCA, and the Freeport Community Center.

The Public Opinion Survey is designed to understand what area residents think about the value,
relevance, and access to arts and cultural resources.
The Artist and Performer Survey is designed to learn about the intricacies, needs, and
perspectives of creatives.

The Cultural Organization and Creative Business Survey is designed to assess the challenges,
needs, and priorities of creative organizations and businesses.

2017-2018 Meetings

Data Findings and Initial Recommendations

Meeting goals:
1. Review, discuss, and improve plan priorities and objectives.
2. Identify those who could help: those with the ingenuity, experience, resources and with
whom there might be potential collaboration.

Strategy Recommendations

Meeting goals:
1. Review, discuss, and improve strategies and ideas.
2. Identify those who could help: those with the ingenuity, experience, resources and with
whom there might be potential collaboration.

Plan Summary and Finalization

Meeting goals:
1. Present highlights of data findings.
2. Review final plan priorities and strategies.
3. Identify any improvements.

reinholtconsulting.com.
Quotes from Reinholt Consulting

“Cultural planning provides a catalyst for the creativity that lies within every
community. For years, it’s been argued that the value of arts and cultural assets
extends beyond the intrinsic and aesthetic. Until recently, the ability to define the
value brought to communities through the presence of arts and cultural assets was
limited by the lack of sufficient data available to support what many knew to be true;
that not only do arts and cultural assets add to our overall enjoyment and quality of
life, these assets also add significantly to the economy and serve as a powerful tool
for community and economic development.”

“Much like land use planning serves as a tool for municipalities and regional planning
entities to help communities guide future development based on a
community’s priorities and values, cultural planning serves as a tool for communities
to develop and implement strategies to support a growing creative economy.”