The City of Boerne discussed a draft of its Arts and Culture Strategic Plan at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 12. The plan comes as the result of an extensive community feedback process involving community surveys, public meetings, and consultations with local stakeholders. Developed with assistance from Keen Independent Research, the plan aims to create a roadmap for enhancing Boerne’s quality of life through arts and culture initiatives.
Central to the plan’s development was a community survey, which revealed several key desires from residents—chief among them, a call for more murals. In fact, over 80% of respondents expressed a strong interest in expanding Boerne’s public art scene with additional murals. Beyond public art, the plan also addresses community priorities like new performance spaces, expanded arts education, and greater support for local artists.
Boerne’s Murals: A Starting Point
Currently, Boerne has two main murals: the Boerne Mural on Main Street next to Brantley’s Bistro where you’ll often see tourists stop for a photo, and the lesser-known mushroom mural outside The Corner Cupboard. With only two proper murals around town, it’s no surprise that the survey data suggests it’s time to expand.
We were just in nearby Kerrville, with a similar population size and were really impressed with how they have successfully implemented a robust public arts trail with numerous murals (I think I counted over 15).
This could offer a potential roadmap for Boerne’s future.
3 More Key Takeaways from the Survey
Beyond the call for more murals, the survey had several other key takeaways including (but not limited to):
- Art and Culture Are Important: An overwhelming 95% of residents would like to see more art and culture in Boerne.
- More Performance Spaces: Approximately 80% of respondents expressed interest in creating new venues for live performances, such as outdoor amphitheaters or dedicated indoor spaces for concerts and theater productions.
- Most People Want More Museums and Galleries: 78% of Boerne residents would like there to be more museums and art galleries in town.
The Path Forward
The survey results made it clear that art and culture is important to Boerne residents. With strong support for more murals, performance venues, and educational programs, Boerne has the opportunity to create a thriving cultural scene that reflects the community’s vision.
The draft of The Arts and Culture Strategic Plan outlines potential projects, including collaborations with local artists, public-private partnerships, and expanded event programming.
The plan will be brought back to council on December 10, 2024 for final consideration, and should have minimal impact on city budget.
With a community that’s eager for more art, education, and cultural events, the city’s future is looking as bright and colorful as a mural on Main Street!
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