Wyoming Arts Council Unveils New Strategic Plan to Foster State's Creative Growth
Cheyenne, WY - The Wyoming Arts Council has announced the launch of its new strategic plan, which sets the course for the organization's mission and goals through 2027.
With a primary focus on empowering artists and fostering vibrant communities, the strategic plan emphasizes equitable investments, community connections, and the sustainable growth of the arts in Wyoming.
"The Arts Council serves communities all around the state, and we believe that the arts are for everyone," said Rachel Clifton, Assistant Director of the Wyoming Arts Council. "The strategic plan focuses on the role that we play as a state arts agency to increase accessibility to the arts and to further support communities, organizations, and individuals working in the creative sector. We created the strategic plan to help us think critically about future planning so that new incentives or programs continue to align with the mission of the Arts Council."
Under the new strategic plan, the Wyoming Arts Council has identified three main priorities to guide its initiatives:
- Equitable Investments: Recognizing the significance of ensuring fairness and accessibility within the arts, the Wyoming Arts Council will work to identify and address barriers that limit participation. Through tailored arts programs and initiatives, the Arts Council aims to provide enhanced resources, mentorship programs, and grants to nurture growth, sustainability, and professional development in Wyoming. By investing in artists, arts administrators, educators, and community organizations, the Arts Council seeks to cultivate an environment where the arts can flourish and contribute to the state's cultural fabric.
- Community Connections: The strategic plan emphasizes forging connections within and between communities through the arts. The Arts Council intends to foster a sense of belonging and unity by promoting collaboration between artists, community organizations, and educational institutions.
- Sustainable Growth: The plan focuses on sustaining and expanding the Wyoming Arts Council, ensuring its longevity and continued support for its mission. The Arts Council plans to adapt to evolving circumstances and effectively serve the artistic community by building a solid foundation and exploring innovative approaches.
To ensure the plan's development was comprehensive and inclusive, the Arts Council actively engaged with artists, organizations, and community members by conducting community sessions throughout the state and collecting feedback through an online survey. The input from these sessions, combined with the recommendations from the Arts Council staff and board, significantly shaped the plan. Additionally, the Arts Council worked with two specialized consultants to help craft the plan and develop an equity framework that parallels the strategic objectives.
The Wyoming Arts Council aims to address disparities in grant distribution, access to programs, and representation by adopting a corresponding equity framework. This framework comprises a comprehensive set of tools and resources that enable the Arts Council to evaluate and ensure inclusivity throughout the planning, implementation, and assessment phases of its programs. By applying this equity framework, the organization can analyze its reach and impact, identifying areas where services may be underutilized.
The plan is designed to be dynamic and responsive to evolving circumstances. With an action-oriented approach, the plan incorporates current programs and services while allowing room for growth and development of new initiatives. The Arts Council can assess and adjust its strategies as needed while maintaining a strategic and mindful alignment with its mission and capacity.
The Wyoming Arts Council invites artists, arts organizations, and community members across the state to explore the strategic plan and join them in their mission to invest resources to champion, sustain, and cultivate community through the arts.
To view the strategic plan, please visit: https://wyoarts.state.wy.us/
About the Wyoming Arts Council: The Wyoming Arts Council is a state agency that supports, sustains, and expands arts access and engagement for all communities in Wyoming. Through grants, programs, and services, the Arts Council aims to promote the development of the arts and enhance the quality of life for residents. For more information, visit
Image: Troopers_2.jpg
Caption: The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps from Casper prepares to perform.