New Braunfels aims to support local artists, cultural organizations with new master plan

The plan focuses on recommendations within four priority areas:

• Programming and cultural experiences
• Places and spaces
• Visibility and tourism
• Operations and capacity building

Suggestions included repurposing the city’s current convention center into a cultural arts center and building a new 1,500-2,000-seat venue. Other conversations focused on leveraging San Antonio’s Culinary Institute of America campus to include an “elevated” food and wine festival, agenda documents state. A film festival was also suggested.

Stakeholders also identified an opportunity to provide more visibility to the community’s Mexican heritage and the African American and Black communities.

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Economic and Community Development Director Jeff Jewell said the plan ensures arts and culture remain a vital part of the community’s identity through future investments, partnerships and initiatives that celebrate the spirit of New Braunfels.

“These strategies aim to expand cultural programming, support artists and arts organizations, enhance cultural destinations throughout the city and strengthen the operational capacity needed to sustain a vibrant arts and heritage ecosystem,” Jewell said in the release.