City of Worcester, MA
City of Worcester Launches Cultural Plan Update, Invites Community Input
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/31/2026 2:31 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester has launched a project to update its Cultural Plan and is inviting residents, artists, creative workers, cultural organizations, businesses, students, and others connected to Worcester to help shape the city’s arts and cultural priorities for the next five years.
The update will build on the Becoming Worcester Cultural Plan adopted in 2019. The planning process will evaluate progress, identify new opportunities, and develop an updated roadmap to support arts, culture, creativity, and the creative economy in Worcester through 2032.
“Worcester’s cultural community is one of the things that makes our city such a vibrant and distinctive place to live, work and visit,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista. “This Cultural Plan Update is an opportunity to listen, reflect on what we’ve accomplished together, and identify the priorities that will help Worcester’s arts, culture, and creative economy continue to grow. We encourage everyone who cares about Worcester’s future to share their ideas and perspectives.”
As an early opportunity for community input, the municipality launched a Cultural Plan Survey on Aug. 26. Survey participants will provide valuable input to shape Worcester’s cultural future. As a thank you, participants will have the option to enter a prize drawing for two prize packages (valued at $75+) provided by Worcester cafes, restaurants and service providers. Community members can take the survey online at https://qrco.de/bgyedt.
“The success of this plan depends on hearing from the people who make up Worcester’s creative community and the residents who experience and support it every day,” said Jonathan Cohen, Greater Worcester Community Foundation Vice President of Community Impact. “Whether you’re an artist, a student, a business owner, a cultural organization, or simply someone who enjoys the arts, your voice can help shape the recommendations and priorities for the years ahead. We hope the community will take a few minutes to complete the survey and be part of this process.”
“As Worcester looks toward 2032, we have an opportunity to build on the momentum and creativity that have helped define the city’s cultural landscape,” said Fabian Barracks, City of Worcester Cultural Development Officer. “We want this updated plan to reflect where Worcester is today while also providing a practical vision for where we want to go next. Community input will be essential to creating a plan that is ambitious, inclusive and meaningful for Worcester.”
Cultural Development Division team members will be promoting the survey and answering questions about the planning effort at community events including the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market on the Worcester Common on Sept. 2 and Sept. 9 and at Worcester Pride on Sept. 12. Visitors can talk with staff, add input, and take the survey at the City’s Cultural Development Division table.
The Cultural Plan Update project is scheduled to run through January 2027. Keen Independent Research, a national consulting firm specializing in arts and culture, community planning and economic development, is supporting the municipality in this work.
For questions or additional input, community members may call the study hotline at (602) 767-7067, email WorcesterCulturalPlanUpdate@keenindependent.com and/or visit the website https://www.worcesterma.gov/cultural-plan.
###