Castle Rock Citizens for SCFD

Community Impact from Arts, Culture and Science

  • Castle Rock Vision 2030 - Community Input Summary was a survey, which demonstrated a strong opinion to maintain a “small town” identity, a repeating theme in resident’s responses.

    • More than 88% of respondents believed “Community events / family‐friendly activities” to be “important/very important” elements to Castle Rock's small‐town identity.

    • More than 85% of respondents believed it to be “important/very important” to be able to conduct your daily business ‐‐ work, shopping, medical, entertainment ‐‐ within the limits of the Town.

  • Castle Rock 2023 Comprehensive Master Plan

    • Defines the goal to “ensure Castle Rock is recognized and rewarded as a unique and welcoming community distinguished by its vibrant and historic Downtown, small-town character…diverse and easily accessible recreation options…and family-friendly activities.” It goes on to state specific “Principles to support this cornerstone: A community with a vibrant Downtown that values, its history and heritage, Continued tradition of local community events, including art, cultural and entertainment opportunities”

    • Principle ID-3: Continued tradition of local community events, including arts, cultural and entertainment opportunities

      • ID-3.1: EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES: Continue to work with the Downtown Alliance, Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, Douglas County, and other partners on a variety of community-oriented events and activities that appeal to Castle Rock residents and visitors of all ages. Place a particular emphasis on events that celebrate Castle Rock’s cultural heritage, reinforce the community’s small-town character and promote economic vitality.

      • ID-3.2: ARTS AND HUMANITIES: Embrace the role visual and performing arts and humanities play in maintaining and developing Castle Rock’s identity and personality. Strive to make a variety of resources accessible to residents and visitors alike.

    • Principle ID-1: A community with a vibrant Downtown that values its history and heritage through the creation of “potential programs, initiatives and provide incentives to support and enhance the role art plays in Castle Rock’s identity — both as a place to live and as a tourism destination.

  • Town surveys repeatedly emphasize desire to keep a small-town feel. (PAC Survey, 2020) Art is a unifying subject that makes our town personal and personable. Art adds uniqueness to an area that creates a community identity and familiarity. Art also celebrates and documents Castle Rock history, solidifying the region's past, present and future.

Arts & Culture Promote Community Connections

Intellectually stimulating experiences hosted in the community setting build social connections. Art helps to develop a collective identity and pride, which fosters the small-town feel Castle Rock’s residents seek to maintain. In a Chicago study, residents located in close proximity to community-based art projects “were 1.6 times more likely to report they felt more connected to the neighbors.” Not only were they more connected, but 86% wanted continued engagement “in future projects.” (Adding it up: An evaluation of Arts on Chicago and Art Block. Metris Arts Consulting, A. Nicodemus, R. Engh, C. Mascaro)

A national study (American for the Arts AEP6) of nearly 225,000 people from across the USA found:

  • "Of [cultural event] attendees: 89% of attendees agreed the activity/venue was “a source of neighborhood pride for the community”

  • 86% of all Americans say, “arts and culture are important to their community’s quality of life and livability”

  • 78% of the population say the arts are a “positive experience in a troubled world”

  • 69% of the population believe the arts “lift me up beyond everyday experiences”

  • 86% of attendees felt it important that future generations also be able to have that cultural experience

  • 72% of all Americans believe, “The arts provide shared experiences with people of different races, ethnicities, ages, beliefs, and identities (gender, political, national origin)”

Community Health Impact

As health care costs rise, and mental health grows as a social issue, more providers are looking to the arts to help their patients and it’s been proving effective. The COVID pandemic accelerated a mental health crisis and increased the health demands of the population, shown through the U.S. Census Bureau studies. With low costs, few side effects, and improved outcomes, formal studies continue to show the impact of the arts on mental health, cognitive function, and physical health when they take part in some form of art.

How You can Make an Impact on Castle Rock

You have the ability to vote, spread the benefits of SCFD participation, and join us.