BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – From galleries to concerts and plays, Bismarck offers options to pursue and engage with its arts and culture scene, but the city and Dakota West Arts Council feel more can be done.

“It’s definitely a focal point in a community. It highlights what the community actually is. It can highlight who people are in the community, what a community wants to be, what they want to showcase,” said Bismarck Community Development Planner Lauren Oster.

To accomplish this, an arts and culture master plan is in the works to secure long-term funding that will help foster the growth of Bismarck’s arts and culture footprint.

To get a clearer view of where to focus their master plan, they’re turning to cultural organizations, businesses and citizens.

“I think it’s really important for us to better understand each other and understand the community we live in, and I think the arts are a really easy door to make that happen,” said Executive Director of Dakota West Arts Council Jason Thoms.

Thoms said to guide the community, you have to listen to its voice.

If you want to make your voice heard, you can take the arts and culture survey and look for future opportunities as the master plan moves forward, like attending the Bismarck City Commission meeting on Nov. 12.

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