Topeka, KS
ARTs & Culture Master plan

Topeka’s Arts and Culture Master Plan helps civic leaders and stakeholders rely on the expertise of artists for creative problem-solving; this plan guides investment to align cultural production with established community priorities, maximizing benefits while reducing risks.

Building a beautiful, welcoming and connected Topeka directly addresses the community’s biggest challenges – perception issues on crime, division and lack of opportunity, as well as younger people leaving town.

 

Project

Topeka, KS
Arts & Culture Master Plan

assignment

Research & Strategy

PARTNERS

ArtsConnect
Topeka, KS

 

Steering Committee Members

Jordan E. Brooks, Artist & Educator

Michelle Cuevas-Stubblefield, Greater Topeka Partnership

Michelle De La Isla, Topeka Mayor (former)

Sean Dixon, Visit Topeka, Inc.

Bill Fiander, City of Topeka

Connie Gibbons, Mulvane Art Museum

Jen Gogian, Topeka Police Department (former)

Kerrice Mapes, seveneightfive Magazine

Staci Ogle, NOTO Arts & Entertainment District

Michael Padilla, Topeka Mayor (current)

Donna Rae Pearson, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library

Aldrick Scott, Advisors Excel & graphic designer

Ellie Smith, vocalist & community advocate

Zach Snethen, HTK Architects

Christina Valdivia-Alcala, Tonantzin Society & City Councilwoman

Seth Wagoner, AIM5


 
 

Topeka is filled with people who identify as artists or cultural producers

 

The Process

The plan’s vision emerged from diverse perspectives collected through months of primary and secondary research by Group Creative Services with support from a broad steering committee. Topeka’s rich arts ecosystem and the strength of ArtsConnect join a range of community plans to integrate with the in-progress Momentum 2027.

 
 
 

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PLACE

Topeka is filled with potential on the ground; open spaces can become meaningful places

Public art can be realized through a variety of installations like murals and sculptures but can also include work on different time scales from temporary to semi-permanent to permanent such as workshops or pop-up activations.

 

Topeka has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to restore downtown as true dynamic core – where all are welcome and included. This requires repair the community rifts that came with Urban Renewal and challenges related to natural disasters


our recommendations

These are just a few highlights. Visit the link at the bottom of this page to read the PDF of the full plan.

Activating Placemaking Themes

  • Cultural Mapping

  • Prioritize Funding

  • Annual Audit

Advancing the Local Arts Agency

  • Topeka’s Public Art Program

  • ArtsConnect Exhibitions

  • Communication of arts and culture programming

  • Support Arts Organizations

Expanding the Pie:
More resources to support the arts ecosystem in Topeka

  • Expanded & diverse funding for the arts

  • Programmatic Collaborations

  • Greater Topeka Partnership: Entrepreneurial and Start-up Programs

  • Topeka Community Foundation: Impact Investing


 

The arts are more than decoration,
they work hard for communities.
 

 
 

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