Can you remember a moment this year when sparks of creativity and community brought you some hope or joy during a dark time?  

Expressions of arts and culture have helped inspire and connect our communities over the past several months, but innovative local governments have been utilizing artists' unique talents to address a wide range of issues for decades in the growing field of practice known as “creative placemaking.” Casting police officers as theater performers. Igniting imagination about stormwater and waste management. Activating public spaces and cultural assets.

In the wake of the year of unprecedented challenges, ICMA is excited to announce the release of Problem Solving with Arts and Cultural Strategies, a new guide to creative placemaking for local government managers.

This comprehensive resource demonstrates how leveraging the arts, culture, and community-engaged strategies can lead to innovative, creative, and more equitable solutions to challenges facing your community. How outside-the-box processes can offer new ways for government staff and community stakeholders to communicate, build trust, and collaborate.

On December 15, join us for a different type of webinar to celebrate the guide’s release.

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In less than an hour, you’ll:

• Hear firsthand from local government leaders about what’s possible through creative placemaking
• Take a quick tour through the new ICMA guide, and
• Receive tips on resources available to fund this work and connect with peers.

Featured speakers include:

• Marc Ott, executive director, ICMA
• Lyz Crane, deputy director, ArtPlace America
• Norton Bonaparte, Jr, city manager, Sanford, Florida
• Marty Pottenger, founder and director of Art At Work, theater artist, arts-based civic dialogue facilitator
• Michael Sauschuck, commissioner, Maine Department of Public Safety, former assistant city manager and police chief, Portland, Maine
• Laura Goddeeris, director of survey research, ICMA
• Lindsay Jacques, senior research associate, ICMA
• Jen Hughes, design and creative placemaking director, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
• Lynn Osgood, executive director, Civic Arts

Photo credit: Courtesy of Art At Work