Worcester Begins Updating Cultural Plan, Asking Residents to Help Shape City’s Priorities Through 2032
WORCESTER, MA — Worcester is beginning the process of updating the city’s Cultural Plan, giving residents and members of the local creative community an opportunity to help shape the city’s arts, culture and creative economy priorities through 2032.
The city launched a Cultural Plan Survey on August 26 as an early step in the planning process. Residents, artists, creative workers, cultural organizations, businesses, students and others connected to Worcester are encouraged to participate.
The update will build on the city’s Becoming Worcester Cultural Plan, which was adopted in 2019. According to the city, the new planning process will look at progress made since that plan was adopted, identify new opportunities and develop an updated roadmap for the next five years.
City Manager Eric D. Batista said the process is intended to give the city a chance to hear from the people involved in and affected by Worcester’s cultural community.
“Worcester’s cultural community is one of the things that makes our city such a vibrant and distinctive place to live, work and visit,” Batista said in a statement announcing the update.
The city is asking for input from more than just people who work professionally in the arts. Students, business owners, cultural organizations and residents who participate in or support Worcester’s arts and cultural activities are also being encouraged to take part.
Jonathan Cohen, vice president of Community Impact at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, said the updated plan will depend on hearing from people across the city’s creative community as well as residents who engage with the arts.
The survey is part of a larger planning process that is expected to continue through January 2027. Keen Independent Research, a national consulting firm specializing in arts and culture, community planning and economic development, is assisting the city with the work.
Residents will also have opportunities to speak with members of the city’s Cultural Development Division in person. Staff are scheduled to promote the survey and answer questions at the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market on September 2 and September 9 at Worcester Common, as well as Worcester Pride on September 12.
The city says people attending those events will be able to provide input and complete the survey at the Cultural Development Division’s table.
Fabian Barracks, Worcester’s cultural development officer, said the goal is for the updated plan to reflect the city as it exists today while establishing priorities for the years ahead.
The survey also includes an optional opportunity to enter a prize drawing. Participants can enter for a chance to win one of two prize packages valued at $75 or more, with prizes provided by Worcester cafes, restaurants and service providers.
The city has not yet released the final priorities that will come from the updated plan. Those recommendations will be developed as the planning process moves forward and community input is collected.
Residents can participate in the Cultural Plan Update through the City of Worcester’s Cultural Plan page. Questions or additional input can also be directed to the study team at WorcesterCulturalPlanUpdate@keenindependent.com or through the study hotline at (602) 767-7067.
🔎 W.U.W. Verification Box
• Project / Topic: Worcester Cultural Plan Update, which will update the city’s 2019 Becoming Worcester Cultural Plan.
• Current Status: The city has begun the planning process and launched a community survey on August 26, 2026.
• Key Dates or Decisions: The survey is currently part of the community-input phase. Staff will be available at the Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers’ Market on September 2 and September 9 and Worcester Pride on September 12.
• Estimated Cost: The city’s announcement does not identify the total cost of the Cultural Plan Update.
• Timeline: The update is scheduled to continue through January 2027.
• Immediate Next Steps: Residents and members of Worcester’s creative community can complete the survey and provide input as the planning process continues.
• Primary Sources: City of Worcester Office of the City Manager; Worcester Cultural Development Division; Greater Worcester Community Foundation.
• What We Do Not Yet Know: The city has not yet released the final recommendations or priorities that will be included in the updated Cultural Plan.
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