Creative Community Builder's Handbook: How to Transform Communities Using Local Assets, Arts, and Culture [Paperback]

Tom Borrup (Author), Thomas C Borrup (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2006

Put the power of arts and culture to work in your community Part 1 of this unique guide distills research and emerging ideas behind culturally driven community development and explains key underlying principles. You'll understand the arts impact on community well-being and have the rationale for engaging others. Find inspiration and ideas from twenty case studies Part 2 gives you ten concrete strategies for building on the unique qualities of your own community. Each strategy is illustrated by two case studies taken from a variety of cities, small towns, and neighborhoods across the United States. You'll learn how people from all walks of life used culture and creativity as a glue to bind together people, ideas, enterprises, and institutions to make places more balanced and healthy. These examples are followed in Part 3 with six steps to assessing, planning, and implementing creative community building projects: 1. Assess Your Situation and Goals; 2. Identify and Recruit Effective Partners; 3. Map Values, Strengths, Assets, and History; 4. Focus on Your Key Asset, Vision, Identity, and Core Strategies; 5. Craft a Plan That Brings the Identity to Life; 6. Secure Funding, Policy Support, and Media Coverage. Detailed guidance, hands-on worksheets, and a hypothetical community sample walk you through the entire process. Each section includes additional resources as well as an appendix listing books, web sites, organizations, and research studies. By understanding the theoretical context (Part 1), learning from case studies (Part 2), and following the six steps (Part 3), you'll be able to build a more vibrant, creative, and equitable community.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

TOM BORRUP has been a leader and innovator in nonprofit cultural and community development work for over twenty-five years. His consulting, writing, and teaching explore intersections between culture, art, community building, civic engagement, urban design, town planning, and the active use of public space.

Based in Minneapolis and Miami Beach, Tom consults with foundations, nonprofits, and public agencies across the United States. He has written many articles for publications in the arts, city planning, and philanthropy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Fieldstone Alliance (August 2, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940069474
• ISBN-13: 978-0940069473
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Business & Investing > Economics > Urban & Regional
  • #21 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Public Affairs & Policy > Cultural Policy
  • #88 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Public Affairs & Policy > City Planning & Urban Development

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it! March 23, 2010

By B. J. Blackdeer-Mackenzie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is what I was looking for in terms of the whats and how-tos of getting community together to create. It made me think about what our communities artistic assets really are, and that helped solidify some ideas. The book has a really handy, in-depth checklist on what to do in what order to accomplish a project.

5.0 out of 5 stars Creative Community Builder's Handbook March 19, 2013

By Sheryl A Johnson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

It was very helpful in what the Cultural Arts Manager is trying to do. She told me she read the whole book over the weekend.

7 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is available directly from the publisher November 16, 2006

By Vincent Hyman

Format:Paperback

I work at the publisher for this book. We have been trying to get Amazon to correct the information on this page for three months. This book is in print and can be ordered from us directly at our web site, fieldstonealliance org. Please order the book there until Amazon corrects the problem.