TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Wabash River Regional Development Authority held a public meeting at The Hub in Terre Haute. During this meeting, the board of directors approved the regional arts and cultural plan that was presented by “Designing Local”.
Board Chair Jon Ford said this plan will help improve and build tourism and the arts, not just in Terre Haute, but in the five-county region.
“Working with tourism and the arts and building that relationship better, also increasing programming for arts from a regional aspect,” Ford said. “So that when we were talking about arts, it’s just not Vigo County, or just not Clay County, we’re talking about it as a region.”
Ford mentions that a plan like this will allow each county to have their own vision for arts and culture.
“Some counties like Parke County has lots of art, but it’s geared more towards their covered bridge festival,” Ford said. “So, a lot of art is done geared towards that in that area, in Vermilion County, it’s a little different, where it’s more, the Italian festival, and then some of the Ernie Pyle museum up there. So, yes, a lot of things are focused in downtown Terre Haute, and the other regions have different types of arts and culture and this plan respects all of that and try to let every community have its own vision.”
The approved plan will now go to the State Arts Commission to be voted on next. The Wabash River RDA hosts this plan will be approved and ready in time for the new year, when Arts and Culture funding is available for the READI 2.0. To learn more about the approved plan, visit the Wabash River RDA’s website.
