I just returned from the launch breakfast of the new “Community & Culture” project for Washtenaw County. You might have read an article last Saturday in the Ann Arbor News about this new effort to increase participation in arts and cultural activities, and strengthen the cultural aspects of our community. Bill Miller, the Superintendent of Washtenaw Intermediate School District, and I will be chairing the Leadership Committee for this initiative.

The idea for this initiative is to make the connection, again, to the importance of the arts and culture in an economically and socially vibrant community. The goal, a year or so from now, is a sort of five-year cultural plan that can be tailored to individual communities throughout the County.

The meeting was well-attended, with a lot of energy for identifying the biggest needs and concerns facing the creative arts locally - and for finding ways to meet those needs. This phase of the Plan is expected to end up costing just less than $300,000 over two years, though a lot of that is expected in the form of in-kind donations.

Major sponsors include the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Pfizer, the Masco Foundation and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. And nearly all of this area's leading arts groups are lending support, from the University Musical Society to the Ann Arbor District Library.

This “Plan for Community & Culture” is grounded in those ideas I’ve spoken to you about before: the “Three T’s” of a thriving community - technology, talent and tolerance, made popular by author “Rise of the Creative Class” Richard Florida, among others.

"Bob's Update" is a weekly message to Washtenaw County employees from County Administrator Bob Guenzel.  eWashtenaw publishes these columns when they are deemed timely and useful to the wider community.  Please contact Administrator Guenzel with your comments.

I’m sure, if you read these Updates, you’re seeing a trend here: The initiative for youth development – now the successful WATT; the Literacy initiative now under way; the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, now in it’s third year and ready to report out on progress at a Forum next month; Wireless Washtenaw; the Aerotropolis idea and project and the north-south railway project; the evolution of SPARK and the new eastern County incubator, and now this new initiative to make sure that the arts are more carefully woven into our list of priorities for this community.

These are all initiatives that matter a great deal to the growth and enhancement of the lives we live, and our grandchildren will live, in Washtenaw County, but what I’d like to point out is that these important projects have come about through collaboration. Guiding Principle # 7 in action!

As a government among many governments in Washtenaw County – as just one piece in this larger puzzle – we cannot expect to, nor do we want to do it all. But a lot needs be done and it’s gratifying to help convene or facilitate these important initiatives. We’ve been able to offer staff time, usually as part of their specific community of interest, but in almost all cases the IDEA becomes the momentum.

Of course, none of this would be happening if this organization was unable to lead.  Without the forsesight and commitment of our Board of Commissioners; without the effectiveness, efficiency and the excellence that have become predictable for Washtenaw County; without the people who are committed to, day in day out, to that kind of excellence – without you – any of these initiatives might never have happened.  Just good ideas, with no follow through.

Thanks for making this all possible.

Bob