MACON CULTURAL PLAN

Arts and culture have always been central to Macon. From the indigenous art of the Ocmulgee Mounds, to Macon’s historic architecture and churches, to its musical legacy of soul, gospel, and southern rock, Macon’s culture makes it a place like no other. Recognizing the potential of arts and culture to drive community connection and economic growth, the Macon Arts Alliance engaged Lord Cultural Resources to develop the Macon Cultural Plan with an aim to increase arts access and engagement across the area.

The final plan results from a year-long process, engaging over 1,200 Maconites, representing every zip code in the county. Our process included research on Macon demographics and economic data, and a survey of trends and examples of best practices for cultural planning in peer cities. In-depth interviews were conducted with over 40 leaders from a diverse array of fields, including business, government, education, historic preservation, creative industries, and community activism. To ensure as many voices as possible were included in the process, the team engaged the public in multiple ways, including launch events, workshops, and meetings. The Plan articulates a vision for how arts and culture can help all in Macon thrive, and identifies the priorities, strategies, and actions to bring this vision to life. A key outcome of the plan was the vision that Macon’s ethnic, cultural, and creative diversity is the key to ensuring equity and economic prosperity for all.