The Burbank Cultural Arts Framework (2024-2029) represents an expanded commitment to the arts and culture. During this process, there was agreement amongst the team that the fundamental premise is that the arts are essential to Burbank’s aspiration of being a world-class city that can compete for events, conferences, employers, investment, and tourism. The Framework process, outcomes, and document have and will strengthen Burbank’s arts and cultural focus on arts-related initiatives. Burbank will increase its integration of cultural arts programming into a broad range of City activities, many with new partners.
City leadership has emerged as committed to increasing Burbank’s arts-related resources to facilitate the vision and recognition that Burbank is a media and entertainment capital. By establishing and promoting a public document about Burbank’s cultural arts and future priorities, the Framework is and will be an essential resource and tool for the Burbank City Council, City management and leadership, the Parks and Recreation Department, and BCAC, as well as perhaps by the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, other constituencies, and the community at large.
The Framework’s implementation will positively impact many constituencies, including arts organizations, artists, art enthusiasts, small businesses such as restaurants, employers, educators and schools, parents, residents, tourists, etc. Equally, the creative sector workforce employed by Burbank’s media and entertainment corporations and small businesses will benefit, amongst others. Attracting cultural tourism, employers, and workers to Burbank is an economic benefit to the City, particularly keeping non-resident workers in Burbank after hours.
The Framework seeks to leverage this and more. Burbank Cultural Arts Framework 4 Several vibrant Southern California cities with populations under 150,000 residents, such as Beverly Hills, Culver City, Pasadena, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, have incorporated robust arts programming that can serve as models for Burbank. Each has organizational structures that differ from Burbank’s. One decisive factor is that most have a dedicated staff leadership position (e.g., a cultural arts supervisor/manager or director) devoted to and leading the municipality’s arts and culture agenda. They often work closely with its economic development and tourism teams.
CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the Burbank Cultural Arts Framework