Creative Placemaking Toolkit

In addition to giving a thorough overview of creative placemaking, this toolkit compiled by NEA and LISC offers resources for asset mapping and guidelines for evaluating impacts of creative placemaking projects.

Creative placemaking serves as a process for a community to creatively and collaboratively achieve its goals and vision. In urban and rural places across the country, creative placemakers collaborate with residents to develop arts, culture, and design projects that help transform the economic, social and physical landscape in tangible—and equitable—ways. Within a practice of creative placemaking, the arts, culture, and design can be leveraged to spark dialogue, promote economic development, and catalyze the systemic changes social change our communities need to prosper. LISC and our partners at the NEA are continually inspired by the local leaders, artists, organizers, and practitioners who have harnessed the power of the arts as they undertake the difficult work of strengthening America’s communities. After more than a decade of funding and project management, we’ve learned that the best creative placemaking projects begin with deep understanding among community partners and are carried out with a commitment to highest levels of social responsibility and accountability.

Whether you’re just getting started or an established placemaker looking to hone your practice, this digital guide will give you the tools you need to wield the transformative power of the arts within your community ethically and efficiently to create sustainable change.

• Timeframe to Complete Project:

• Cost Range: Free to Access, project costs vary

• Keywords: Community & Cultural Assessments, Planning, Intermediate, Toolkits, Strategies, Planning, Art, Public Art, Initiating Place

• This project was created by National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Click on the button below to access the resource.