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Arts & Culture Master Plan

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Consultation has concluded


Thank you to everyone who participated in the development of the City's first Arts & Culture Master Plan, which the Common Council formally adopted on March 1, 2022. Implementation of the recommendations in the Plan has begun. Please see the final Master Plan to the right. For further information, please contact Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs Kitt Potter at kpotter@kingston-ny.gov.

Original Project Description:

Arts and culture hold the power to enrich and connect a community. They can make the quality of life better for people of all ages and backgrounds. And they mean business.

Kingston is home to a dynamic community of industry professionals, businesses, and nonprofits that are fueling a growing creative economy. This includes not only visual and performing artists and groups but also craftspeople, publishing and film companies, historic sites and museums, boutique manufacturers and more — we're fortunate to enjoy an abundance of unique assets that are woven throughout the fabric of our City.

To harness and build on these assets, and with a generous grant from an anonymous donor, City staff and the Kingston Arts Commission have embarked on developing a comprehensive Arts & Culture Master Plan. We're working with Lord Cultural Resources to produce a blueprint that will provide long-term direction for planning efforts. This detailed guide will help the City strengthen the creative economy and landscape while improving life for everyone.

Moving forward, Lord is charged with bringing stakeholders and leaders together to create a shared vision for future growth. They will help us identify gaps and new opportunities through analysis of existing facilities, economic data, strengths, weaknesses and possible threats — such as displacement of low-income residents and businesses and uncertainties related to the world health crisis.

The final Master Plan will reflect input from community members of all ages, backgrounds and incomes. It will provide well-defined goals and strategies that align with a full cross-section of other community needs. And it will include recommendations for leveraging resources to advance economic prosperity, social equity, protection of our environment — and the cultural vitality that makes Kingston a special place to be.

Wondering how to get involved? See below for all of the exciting ways you can make your voice heard!


The Arts & Culture Master Plan Presentation

On September 8th, the City of Kingston conducted a virtual presentation of the findings of the Arts & Culture Master Plan!. We welcome you to view the recording of the virtual presentation from Lord Cultural Resources and Jon Stover & Associates.

Click here to watch the virtual presentation!

The State of Culture Virtual Presentation & Workshop

On February 9th, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, the City of Kingston hosted the State of Culture, a community presentation and workshop. The presentation detailed the initial findings of the past two phases of the planning process, as well as outlining the eight identified opportunity zones. We encourage all community members to review the presentation to learn more. Please be sure to complete the Opportunities Survey, which will help guide which solutions we prioritize moving forward.

Click here to download the State of Culture Presentation

Haga clic aquí para descargar la presentación en español

Click here to view a recording of the State of Culture

Haga clic aquí para ver la presentación en español


Host a Community Circle

If you'd like to help create more conversations around Arts & Culture, consider hosting a Community Circle! A Community Circle is a small meeting, facilitated by and for community members. Community Circles can be as formal, or informal, as you like. Get a few friends together for a Zoom call, or consider a socially-distanced outdoor meeting. Take notes, and share what you discuss with us so we can incorporate your comments into the Arts & Culture Master Plan!

Click here to download the Arts & Culture Community Circle Guide & Toolkit!

Click here to download the Arts & Culture Community Circle Guide & Toolkit in Spanish!


Add to the Cultural Asset Inventory

The window to take the Cultural Participation Survey has closed, but you can still add to the Cultural Asset Inventory!

The Cultural Asset Inventory will collect and plot all of Kingston's amazing cultural resources into an online map, powered by the City of Kingston's GIS software. Any and all creative businesses, independent artists, organizations, and spaces are welcome to add their information to this inventory.


For any questions about the Arts & Culture Master Plan, please contact Ruth Ann Devitt-Frank at rfrank@kingston-ny.gov or use the Question & Answer box below.


Thank you to everyone who participated in the development of the City's first Arts & Culture Master Plan, which the Common Council formally adopted on March 1, 2022. Implementation of the recommendations in the Plan has begun. Please see the final Master Plan to the right. For further information, please contact Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs Kitt Potter at kpotter@kingston-ny.gov.

Original Project Description:

Arts and culture hold the power to enrich and connect a community. They can make the quality of life better for people of all ages and backgrounds. And they mean business.

Kingston is home to a dynamic community of industry professionals, businesses, and nonprofits that are fueling a growing creative economy. This includes not only visual and performing artists and groups but also craftspeople, publishing and film companies, historic sites and museums, boutique manufacturers and more — we're fortunate to enjoy an abundance of unique assets that are woven throughout the fabric of our City.

To harness and build on these assets, and with a generous grant from an anonymous donor, City staff and the Kingston Arts Commission have embarked on developing a comprehensive Arts & Culture Master Plan. We're working with Lord Cultural Resources to produce a blueprint that will provide long-term direction for planning efforts. This detailed guide will help the City strengthen the creative economy and landscape while improving life for everyone.

Moving forward, Lord is charged with bringing stakeholders and leaders together to create a shared vision for future growth. They will help us identify gaps and new opportunities through analysis of existing facilities, economic data, strengths, weaknesses and possible threats — such as displacement of low-income residents and businesses and uncertainties related to the world health crisis.

The final Master Plan will reflect input from community members of all ages, backgrounds and incomes. It will provide well-defined goals and strategies that align with a full cross-section of other community needs. And it will include recommendations for leveraging resources to advance economic prosperity, social equity, protection of our environment — and the cultural vitality that makes Kingston a special place to be.

Wondering how to get involved? See below for all of the exciting ways you can make your voice heard!


The Arts & Culture Master Plan Presentation

On September 8th, the City of Kingston conducted a virtual presentation of the findings of the Arts & Culture Master Plan!. We welcome you to view the recording of the virtual presentation from Lord Cultural Resources and Jon Stover & Associates.

Click here to watch the virtual presentation!

The State of Culture Virtual Presentation & Workshop

On February 9th, from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, the City of Kingston hosted the State of Culture, a community presentation and workshop. The presentation detailed the initial findings of the past two phases of the planning process, as well as outlining the eight identified opportunity zones. We encourage all community members to review the presentation to learn more. Please be sure to complete the Opportunities Survey, which will help guide which solutions we prioritize moving forward.

Click here to download the State of Culture Presentation

Haga clic aquí para descargar la presentación en español

Click here to view a recording of the State of Culture

Haga clic aquí para ver la presentación en español


Host a Community Circle

If you'd like to help create more conversations around Arts & Culture, consider hosting a Community Circle! A Community Circle is a small meeting, facilitated by and for community members. Community Circles can be as formal, or informal, as you like. Get a few friends together for a Zoom call, or consider a socially-distanced outdoor meeting. Take notes, and share what you discuss with us so we can incorporate your comments into the Arts & Culture Master Plan!

Click here to download the Arts & Culture Community Circle Guide & Toolkit!

Click here to download the Arts & Culture Community Circle Guide & Toolkit in Spanish!


Add to the Cultural Asset Inventory

The window to take the Cultural Participation Survey has closed, but you can still add to the Cultural Asset Inventory!

The Cultural Asset Inventory will collect and plot all of Kingston's amazing cultural resources into an online map, powered by the City of Kingston's GIS software. Any and all creative businesses, independent artists, organizations, and spaces are welcome to add their information to this inventory.


For any questions about the Arts & Culture Master Plan, please contact Ruth Ann Devitt-Frank at rfrank@kingston-ny.gov or use the Question & Answer box below.

Consultation has concluded

If you'd like to know more about the purpose of an Arts & Culture Master Plan, or the process surrounding its development, please jot your thoughts down below. We'll get back to you shortly.

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    would be an opportunity Educational Access 20 📺 Local Public Access 23 on Spectrum (Public, Educational, and Government)

    Clark Richters asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for the suggestion! 

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    Hello. I'm co-director of Circle Creative Collective and we offer education on traditional craft. Last year we put together Sankofa, a Celebration of African Craft in Kingston and we are now working on this year's festival which with feature Shekere W African rattle making, story quilting, storytelling, and puppetry which will take place at Kingston Point Beach. We also have been working with Kingston's Mexican and Guatemalan communities on hand sewing projects called Coser A Mano to honor the talents and traditions in stitching that they have come here with. I see that the Survey is closed and am wondering what type of support Kingston may offer at this time. Thank you.

    Melissa Hewitt asked almost 3 years ago

    Please be sure to add your organization to the Cultural Asset Inventory! The survey has been closed, but you are always welcome to reach out to the City of Kingston's Department of Art & Cultural Affairs with any questions you may have. 

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    Hello! Where can I find the final presentation with your findings? Many thanks!

    JamieSanin asked over 2 years ago

    The final presentation will be presented virtually in September. Following the presentation, the plan will be available for download on the City website. 

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    What happened to the cultural development planned for Broadway midtown? I’d heard about it 4 years ago

    Leslie Bender asked about 3 years ago

    Hello Leslie,

    Thank you for your question. The City of Kingston currently does not have any plans to build a cultural development on Broadway, but we are in the midst of many exciting projects to enhance our community. You can learn more about municipal projects here on Engage Kingston, underneath the Current Projects tab at the top of the page.  

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    I am very interested in getting our event, Bon-odori Dance Festival For Peace in part of Kingston Arts and Cultural Assets. We have been organizing this dance festival since 2011. It was originated in New Paltz and moved to Kingston in 2017. Since I was very busy trying to start my own noodle shop business under this COVID-19 pandemic, I missed the deadline. However I am ready to jump in now. Please advise.

    Youko Yamamoto asked about 3 years ago

    Hello Youko,

    We appreciate your enthusiasm to participate! I mentioned in my other reply & email a few ways that you can join in the project. The Bon-odori Dance Festival is a valued event that we are very proud to have held in Kingston, and was included in the research we complied on Events & Festivals. Thank you for sharing the beautiful images from your festival, with your permission I would love to include them in any future presentations we create. 

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    Hello, my name is Youko Yamamoto. I missed participating last two online meetings, and would like to find out further information. I've been organizing 'Bon-odori Dance Festival For Peace' to protest Nuclear weapons and energy last 10 years, originated in New Paltz and moved Kingston in 2017. I would love to be part of this wonderful master plan. Please advise.

    Youko Yamamoto asked about 3 years ago

    Hello Youko,

    Thank you for your interest in the Arts & Culture Master Plan! There are still plenty of ways you can engage with the project. First, please be sure to fill out the Opportunities Survey!. The Opportunities Survey will help us select the priorities we will focus on as we start to develop concrete strategies to foster arts & culture in Kingston. 

    We also have presentations from our workshops that you can download, if you look at the Meeting's and Documents tab. There is also a recording of the State of Culture, which is a great overview of the work we've done so far on the cultural plan. 

    Also, please do not hesitate to send an email with any of your thoughts, concerns, or recommendations on how we can grow arts & culture. We want to and encourage more communication, and hope to continue to hear from our community members even when the plan is done. Our plan is made stronger by community input, so we'd love to hear from you!


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    Hello, In Mayor Noble’s address he touched on Kingston as a place where artists who make a living at their art will feel at home. I’m wondering what programs are in place or planned for mid-career and established artists. At the organizational level almost everything seems aimed at emerging artists and arts education.

    MB asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question! You're correct that we need to ensure support for artists of all levels. 

    Arts Mid-Hudson offers multiple grants to artists of all levels. The Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) has a membership program which seeks to create opportunities for both visual and performing artists. The Midtown Arts District provide support to local artists, and has a free registry on their website. Stockade Works has a registry for film professionals. It might be a productive to see if we could create more free registries for different cultural sectors.

    We're always looking for suggestions, so if there is a program, policy or system from another community that you think is successful, please be sure to share!

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    Apologies Addie I used a “y” instead of “ie” in Addie

    MB asked about 3 years ago

    Not a problem :) 

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    Hello Addy, I think all the artists at the zoom meeting would be interested in this : https://actionnetwork.org/letters/arts-culture-workers-for-a-modern-day-wpa?source=direct_link& Thank you Michael Bisio

    MB asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for sharing this! 

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    Do I fill out the survey on behalf of The Vanaver Caravan, if we are not a Kingston based organization? We work everywhere but have not worked in Kingston for years. We are going to be collaborating with CCE on a project this year however......

    Livia Vanaver asked over 3 years ago

    Hello Livia,

    Yes, we encourage anyone who has participated in cultural experiences in Kingston to take our survey.