by Nicole Bradford
A draft of Pearland’s first-ever cultural arts master plan recommends creating a “signature arts and cultural event,” an arts administrator position, and a nonprofit arts foundation.
“This plan kills two birds with one stone — it brings art to our community, and it brings people to our community,” Pearland CVB board vice chairman Matthew Peno said.
The city’s inaugural arts master plan was contracted in March 2023 to San Diego, Calif.-based Cultural Planning Group for just under $90,000, funded through the Pearland Convention and Visitors Bureau.
An initial draft of the plan, presented to the city council in a discussion workshop on May 20, suggests developing Old Town as a cultural district, enhancing public art, particularly in parks, and creating a “next generation of Pear-Scape Program.”
Public input included meetings with arts groups, focus groups, and a community survey that drew more than 1,700 responses. The results suggest a need for performance, exhibition and performance spaces, music venues, and public art.
“Seventy-five percent of respondents go out of Pearland to attend arts and cultural events,” said Cultural Planning Group partner Linda Flynn. “This is an economic opportunity to bring those dollars back.”
Funding for arts programs includes hotel occupancy taxes, and the plan recognizes Visit Pearland as the lead organization for arts and culture. Other funding sources include state grant programs and fundraisers through a local nonprofit foundation.
An arts master plan was a goal of longtime mayor Tom Reid, who passed away in 2023.
“It’s the start of a plan that can evolve over time,” Mayor Kevin Cole said. “I hope that Mayor Reid would be proud of us in being thoughtful of our arts community and expanding it.”
The master plan calls for creating a new professional arts administrator position and part-time position for public art and collaboration among city departments.
“We also recommend the city consider a percent-for-art program — either on city or private real estate development projects or both,” said co-founder David Plettner-Saunders. “That would fund a larger public art program and help place more art throughout the city.”
Developing Old Town as a cultural district is a long-term goal.
“Old Town clearly holds the imagination of the community,” Plettner-Saunders said.
The arts plan will be considered for final adoption by the city council at a June or early July meeting.
