WABASH VALLEY, Ind. — An effort is underway to help shape the Wabash River Regional Arts and Culture Plan. Today, a second public forum took place at the Vigo County History Center.

According to The Wabash Valley Regional Development Authority, they need local voices to help build a vision that reflects the identity of our region.

The Wabash Valley River Regional Arts and Culture Plan hopes to not only guide future investments but also create opportunities for connection and growth across West Central Indiana. Bill Rennels, member of the Regional Development Authority Board, said people who are visiting or moving to an area, look into what it has to offer outside of work.

“And for employers to attract businesses, that is one of the amenities that they’re looking for. What do people do when they’re not working. What do the kids do when they’re not in school. So, we need activities that will help develop them culturally,” said Rennels.

Garbrielle Smith, Urban Planner with Designing Local said they were looking to see where the community thought funding should go and where the community would like to see more activities.

“Where they are doing things now or where they would like to be doing things. Where we should be bringing programming and facilities to. and what kinds of art they are interested in. So, large- or small-scale performing spaces, different types of specific placemaking,” said Smith.

Smith and her team, along with Wabash Valley Regional Development Authority, hope to have the Arts and Culture Plan created sometime this year.

The Arts and Culture survey is open through the month of June to share your ideas. You can find the survey here Wabash River Regional Arts & Culture Plan .