Bismarck to develop master plan for arts and culture

BISMARCK, N.D. (KYR) – Bismarck offers options for arts and culture development and engagement, from galleries to concerts and plays, but the city and the Western Dakota Arts Council believe more can be done.

“It’s definitely a community focus. It highlights what community really is. It can highlight who the people in the community are, who the community wants to be, what they want to showcase,” said Lauren Oster, Bismarck community development planner.

To achieve this goal, an arts and culture master plan is in development to secure long-term funding that will help promote Bismarck’s growing influence in the arts and culture field.

To get a clearer idea of where to focus their master plan, they are reaching out to cultural organizations, businesses and citizens.

“I think it’s really important for us to better understand each other and understand the community that we live in, and I think the arts are a really easy door for that to happen,” said Western Dakota Arts Council Executive Director Jason Thoms.

Thoms said that in order to guide a community, you have to listen to its voice.

If you want your voice to be heard, you can use art and culture research and look for future opportunities as the master plan moves forward, such as attending the Nov. 12 Bismarck City Commission meeting.