Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Flynn.
Linda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began my career as an independent researcher in the advertising agency world and got a bit overwhelmed with the ad agency culture -too hectic for me! I formed a certified woman-owned business and did consulting and research projects with government, education, and nonprofits.
I first worked with The Cultural Planning Group partners on the Broward County 2020 Cultural Master Plan in 2009 as a minority business local partner. The firm had been selected to do the cultural plan and was required to hire a local minority firm. We hit it off and I continued working with them on national projects – and eventually became a full partner in 2014.
I am a researcher and community engagement professional- that can have many different meanings. My story is about listening to others’ stories – stories of individuals, organizations, and communities. And it is about weaving these stories into planning by and for the community we are working in. I practice this work because I love it – I love working with my partners, and because I meet the most interesting artists and creatives in every corner of the nation!
Has it been a smooth road?
It is never a smooth road, is it? Although, the experience along the way is what is so valuable.
Being an arts and cultural planner/consultant is one of the most interesting jobs I have experienced – and at times one of the most challenging.
For example, explaining what CPG does is a challenge in itself! What do you do? Plan festivals? No…
We build community. We build a plan around the cultural development of a community – aligning with the physical development of a city. CPG has an amazing team of partners. We work with artists and creatives – who are the lifeblood of a community – for their long-term success and the well-being of a community.
And, getting people and leaders who “don’t get it to get it” is a welcome challenge! Those communities investing in their creative peoples and creative sectors are the most vibrant and successful.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
The Cultural Planning Group is a consulting firm serving the field of arts and culture. With the managing office in San Diego, our six partners are in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Hawai‘i. I, Linda Flynn, Ph.D., am a Partner and the Director of Research.
We do arts and cultural master plans, creative placemaking plans, public art plans, and other arts-related planning. We work nationally, creating plans for a wide range of cities and communities across the US. (Broward County, FL; Fort Lauderdale; Sacramento, CA; Greensboro, NC; Boston, MA; Houston, TX and more).
What is a cultural plan? A long-term vision for the cultural development of a community using urban planning tools. It is unique to each community and may include strategies and actions for public art, placemaking with the arts, cultural facilities, artist and creative live/work, cultural institutions and the nonprofit ecosystem, arts programming for youth and other groups, cultural and social equity, partnerships and philanthropy, funding, etc. In South Florida, it could mean addressing social and environmental issues with artists’ insight – such as sea rise and climate change.
What sets us apart? Our practice is grounded in the real-world experience of deep community engagement — a hallmark of our work. We believe each community poses its own vision, politics, aspirations, history, and potential and our job is to fully understand, embrace, and work for that vision.
Our Philosophy
We believe that arts and culture are among a community’s most powerful assets. They distinguish each community. A vibrant, visible arts environment is a competitive tool for cities and strengthens many elements of civic life. As practitioners of the craft, we views successful arts planning as fully understanding and reflecting a community’s vision and values.
What are we most proud of? Our team, our thoughtful approach to planning, and the successful track record of our work.
What are your plans for the future?
We are currently working on expanding our practice to partner with urban planning firms, developers, higher education, and other community building partners. A collaborative approach to community planning can foster greater benefits for a community’s well-being, growth, and vibrancy.
For example, Miami has significantly invested in the arts and is an amazing example of a community that values and embracing the arts as part of its identity. I love South Florida and what it is doing in the arts.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Cultural Planning Group
2816 NW 8th Avenue`
Wilton Manors, FL 33311 Managing Office: The Cultural Planning Group
6878 Navajo Rd., #58
San Diego, CA 92119 - Website: www.culturalplanning.com
- Phone: 9548043044
- Email: linda@culturalplanning.com
- Instagram: culturalplanning / ltaraf
- Twitter: @ culturalplans @lindataraf
Image Credit:
Linda Flynn, David Plettner Saunders, Victoria Plettner-Saunders –
The first image is in Laguna Beach, CA but the second one is a cultural planning meeting in Boston, MA.
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