Cultural Heritage Tools for Creative Districts
A
B
C
D
Do-It-Yourself Cultural Assessment
Do-It-Yourself Cultural Heritage Worksheet and Questionnaire
Cultural Heritage Activities for Adults and Kids
Oral History Project for Creative District Early Visionaries
A Do-It-Yourself Cultural Assessment
Create a “Do-it-yourself Cultural Assessment and Inventory Tool” for the Colorado Creative Industries
website, building off of previous versions. Click here for the Cultural Assessment Self Study Worksheet.
B Do-It-Yourself Cultural Heritage Worksheet and Questionnaire
See following two pages
Colorado Creative Industries
Creative Districts and Cultural Heritage
Preliminary Survey Information
Name of cultural heritage activity, place, cultural group
Description of cultural heritage activity, place, cultural group
How it helps to tell the story of the creative district
Contact Information of person submitting information
Contact information for activity, place, cultural group
Colorado Creative Industries
Creative Districts and Cultural Heritage
Preliminary Survey Questions
2012 Colorado Creative District applicants were asked to include information on their
community’s unique character and cultural heritage in their narrative responses for two
important reasons. One of CCI’s goals is that Colorado’s unique cultural heritage will be
preserved and promoted. Also, HB11-103 passed by the Colorado legislature in 2011,
encouraging the formation of Creative Districts in communities, neighborhoods, or contiguous
geographic areas noted that one of the program’s purposes is to provide a focal point for
celebrating and strengthening a community’s unique identity. Describing how the district
incorporates “cultural heritage and uniqueness (whether from the past or from newer
immigrants) in District signage, streetscape, programming and promotion” was one of the
requirements in the narrative description of the district’s characteristics. Many excellent
examples were included in the applications. The following questions help explore the basics of
how Colorado Creative Industries sees creative districts, local history and cultural heritage all
working together to tell the story of Colorado communities.
 What culture groups are or were important to the area? (Define culture groups broadly)
 What do or did they contribute to the area’s story?
 What places reflect the presence of different culture groups?
 What activities reflect the presence of different culture groups?
 What occupations are traditional to the area?
 How are stories and traditions showcased and maintained?
 What are some stories (legends, ghost, humorous) about the area?
 What are the local music or dance traditions?
 What are some crafts or home skills important to the area?
 What are some beliefs or lore about weather, plants or animals (the natural
environment)?
 How much history of the area do you know and how do you fit into it?
 Who knows the most history of the area and what do they know?
 What does authenticity mean for the community?
 What is needed to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the area?
C Cultural Heritage Activities for Adults and Kids
Task: Consolidate information from Cultural Assessment and Authenticity Work mentioned above and
create fun and interactive materials for use by adult and youth volunteers in the districts. Develop a
schedule to conduct workshops before April 2013 in three selected creative districts with adults and
youth to test the kit and its effectiveness.
Numerous activities and projects are included in Colorado Creative Industries Ties That Bind: Colorado
Folk Arts and Artists in the Classroom. Also, the one-day cultural heritage workshop for communities
contains numerous suggestions for adults and kids to explore their community’s cultural heritage.
The Art of Interviewing
Introduction to Folklore for Grade 12
Exploring Cowboy Life through Cowboy Poetry (good general questions)
Folklore Bingo
Take A Trip
Cross Orchards Kids Camp: Activities that explore the history and culture of the Grand Valley including
agriculture, nature (insects), quilt making, home making skills (laundry, butter making), blacksmithing,
wood crafts, flower pressing. (Meet and interact with people who have traditional knowledge and skills
in the area and who know the history of the orchard and the surrounding area)
Master Apprentice Activity Guide
Tom Noel book—The Highest State
CPI Youth Programs—Judy Walden http://coloradopreservation.org/programs/initiatives/coloradoyouth-summit/
Colorado Historical Society Publications
AASLH publications
Cultural Heritage Tourism Files (at MOW)
Other Folk Arts Educational Resources (hard copies in files)
Kids Explore America’s Hispanic Heritage--Westridge Young Writers Workshop
Kids Explore America’s African-American Heritage-- Westridge Young Writers Workshop
Colorado Puzzle Book
4-H Activities
D Oral History Project for Creative District Early Visionaries
A task assigned as part of the cultural heritage specialist’s work with Colorado’s Creative District
Program during the summer of 2012 was described as follows: Identify at least three of the oldest
creative districts and their original visionaries and create a schedule to conduct oral histories and to
document these districts’ origins by June 2013.
The purpose of this task is to encourage Creative Districts to recognize and celebrate the individual
visionaries and community character that created the environment in which a Creative District could
take root and thrive. Maintaining a sense of “authenticity” rather than assuming a “cookie cutter”
approach helps encourage creative districts to showcase the unique story that has grown out of the
interaction between people and place over time. The newly-designated districts and the stories they
represent are an important part of Colorado’s rich cultural heritage.
Following are a few questions and discussion topics that are designed to help capture the stories of
district visionaries. More information on the process and guidance on proper protocol for conducting
interviews, acquiring permission to use the information, etc. can be found at (Library of Congress Folklife
and Fieldwork, Ties That Bind).
(Be sure to note the name, affiliation, contact information for the interviewee and the
interviewer, as well as the time, date and location of the interview on the recording.)
What is your involvement today with the creative district?
What was the original vision that led to the establishment of the creative district?
Where did the original idea come from?
What groups were involved in developing the original idea?
Why and how did you become involved in the original vision?
What are some elements that remain from the original vision?
What physical changes are there from the original vision?
How do you feel about those changes?
What philosophical changes are there from the original vision?
How do you feel about those changes?
How have community history and heritage played a part in development of the creative district?
What cultural groups and traditions are important to the area (past and present)?
What events and activities celebrate the contributions of cultural groups?
What are some important things that you feel would help keep authenticity/community
character in mind as the district moves forward?
Where did you hope the original idea would lead?
Where would you like to see it lead now?
Who are some people that were involved in the original vision whose work should not be
forgotten and why?
Who are some young people who are involved, or could be involved, in helping the district and
its work move into the future and in what ways?
What surprises have you or others encountered in the process?
What kinds of impact has the district had on the community? (Economic? Development?
Increased interest by the public?)
What advice do you have for other groups thinking of forming a creative district?
One copy of the recorded interview should be provided to the interviewee, and one should be stored in
a permanent archive of some type (libraries and museums are often have appropriate place). Also, a
transcript, tape log or outline of the interview is great to have for future reference.