Local nonprofit organization Bee Cave Arts Foundation and the city’s arts commission are developing its first arts and culture master plan—a multiyear plan to promote a creative and cultural environment within the city of Bee Cave.
As part of the process, the foundation is seeking residents’ feedback regarding the events, art and cultural projects they would like to see exist within the community. The survey can be found on the city of Bee Cave’s website and is available to all who live, work or visit the city.
As of Feb. 3, approximately 250 surveys were gathered, according to Deby Childress, Bee Cave Arts Foundation director, who said the organization hopes to hear from a wider pool of community members.
The survey will remain open until March, Childress said. After results are gathered, the foundation will make a report to Bee Cave City Council outlining the results.
The arts and culture master plan comes as part of a wider initiative to promote art within the city, which in the past has entailed painted murals at the Hill Country Galleria, the development of the Bee Cave Sculpture Park and Buzzfest—an interactive light festival hosted by the Bee Cave Arts Foundation.
Once completed the survey may feature initiatives to promote live theater, music and art exhibitions, among other events. Early responses to the survey reflect an interest in designing artistic benches along the city’s trail system, Childress said.
The foundation is also considering the development of a publication focused on the promotion of art, culture and local businesses such as the Hill Country Galleria art gallery, Contracommon.
According to Childress, this initiative has been a citywide effort that has included support from the Hill Country Galleria, local festivals such as the Lake Travis Film Festival and the City of Bee Cave.
In April, the city and Bee Cave Arts Foundation entered into an agreement to utilize a percentage of local hotel occupancy tax revenue for the encouragement and improvement of local arts.
Childress said the arts and culture master plan will establish a comprehensive five- to 10-year program to utilize that funding for the benefit of the city and its residents.
“We’re in a very unique situation to be a small town but with so many people that love the arts,” Childress said.
