Arts Council urges stronger community- and culture-first language in borough comprehensive plan

Kathleen Light, director of the Ketchikan Arts Council, told the planning commission the draft comprehensive plan places too much emphasis on tourism and insufficiently reflects the borough’s lived culture, lifelong learning and partner-led education.

"Our suggestion is that sustainable tourism strategies must offer solutions that contribute to Ketchikan's fiscal health and improve your rent livability," Light said during the work session, reading submitted comments from the Arts Council and arguing that language shifts were needed to prioritize residents and culture. (Light's written comments were on the commission’s table.)

Light and other Arts Council representatives asked that the plan restore references to a cultural and archaeological inventory that had been removed, broaden the education chapter to acknowledge partner-led programs beyond K–12 — including the college and tribal schools — and adopt language supporting a community-wide cultural plan that includes historic preservation without limiting cultural planning to buildings and sites.

Commissioners acknowledged the comments and discussed a balance between keeping the comprehensive plan high-level and ensuring it does not omit elements that community groups rely on for grant applications and partnerships. Several commissioners and staff said they preferred broad, inclusive language that would encourage partner-led plans rather than enumerating a single list of organizations in the body of the plan.

Planning staff said they would prepare suggested wording and alternatives to present at the Nov. 12 meeting so the commission can decide what to include before forwarding the draft to the assembly.