Survey Says...Preliminary Results of PATH Survey

Platteville, Wisconsin (June 6, 2018) – In two separate surveys, Platteville Arts, Trails, and History (PATH) surveyed community members and people who identify as part of the creative sector. The surveys were open from late February through early April. The online versions were available through links at the project webpage (www.platteville.org/path) and Facebook page (PlattevillePATH) and paper copies were available at the library and museums.

Community Survey Highlights
The Community survey included a variety of questions aimed at discovering what people like, want and imagine related to arts, culture, creativity, and history. The survey had 119 responses. Findings indicate:

• People want more artisan food and beverage events (59%), live music (50%), arts festivals (36%),and children’s activities (33%).
   
• People don’t attend events because of lack of information (57%), lack of time (42%), and lack of interest in events (33%).
   
• People would like to see events held in the downtown/Main Street area (67%), Parks (51%), and at the Library (33%).
   
• Arts and cultural development would be most helped through marketing and promotion (63%), community support (56%), and an online calendar of events (50%).
   
• “Parks, trails, and recreational opportunities” and “landscape, nature, and scenic beauty” are important parts of living in Platteville.
   
• The “M” was, by far, the most popular place to take visitors, followed by the Rountree Branch Trail, the Mining and Rollo Jamison Museums, and Main Street.
   
• Ideas for the community celebration project ranged from diverse types of art and music festivals and events to creating a community art or maker-space, a participatory community mural, outdoor public art, and celebrating arts and culture as a part of everyday life.

Creative Sector Survey Highlights
The Creative Sector survey was aimed at artists, performers, musicians, writers, and other creative people. The survey had 37 responses and included questions aimed at discovering what types of artists we have, what they need, and how PATH can help.

• The Platteville community is home to a variety of creative people, respondents identified with the following specialties: visual arts (51%), artisan/craft person (30%), music/audio arts (27%), literary arts (22%), theater arts (14%), film/video (8%), and design arts (5%).
   
• Most respondents (41%) were part-time artists, while 27% were full-time artists, and 24% considered themselves hobbyists.
   
• Respondents would like to see a public artist directory and online resources (65%), an online inclusive calendar of Platteville area events (60%), networking and promotional support to expand market outreach (57%), and regular gatherings of artists and performers (49%).
   
• There is strong interest in having an exhibition or gallery space (41%) and shared studio or maker-space (38%) in Platteville.
   
• Resources that are considered important, but not available in Platteville include community recognition, local marketing opportunities, production resources, and affordable studio space.

Full survey results will be available as part of the Creative Community Plan later this year.

About PATH
PATH is an arts and culture planning project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town program. The goal of PATH is to bring the community together to decide what makes Platteville special and how we can use arts, culture, creativity, and history to promote these special qualities and make our city an even better place. PATH is a partnership between the City of Platteville, Arts Wisconsin, and community organizations. The project will produce a Creative Community Plan for Platteville and a celebration project. For more information or to get involved visit our website at www.platteville.org/PATH; like us on Facebook at Platteville PATH, or contact Angie Wright, Project Manager at //plattevillepath@gmail.com">plattevillepath@gmail.com or by calling (608) 778-9652.