The LRP Plan of Action features over 125 specific strategies and actions developed through a collaborative process with a Steering Committee consisting of various county department staff and external strategic partners, as well as input from a broad range of cross-sector leaders interested in integrating arts, culture, and history, and the public at large.

The action items are specific, relevant, action-oriented, and time-bound. The strategies and actions, when implemented over a ten-year period, will make Somerset County an even greater place to live, work and play through the arts, cultural heritage, and history.

The actions and strategies are organized around three transformational goals that cut across disciplines to foster and promote arts, cultural heritage, and history as engines of economic development, health and well-being, and inclusion. Learn more below about these goals, with examples of key strategies. 

Key Strategies:

• Identify stakeholders and create appropriate collaborative groups
• Encourage collaboration and programming inclusive of the county's diverse residents, culture, and history
• Establish the SCC&HC as a strategic partner for cross-disciplinary planning and implementation efforts in the county to develop a more equitable and regenerative economy
• Develop partnerships to build cultural audiences
• Connect the arts, cultural heritage, and history community to funding opportunities

Key Strategies:

• Define an identity and brand for Somerset County
• Develop strategies for activating and promoting Somerset County as a "live, work, and play" destination
• Use storytelling to broaden, deepen, and diversify cultural participation
• Align SCC&HC's efforts to market and promote arts, cultural heritage, and history with the county's tourism and economic development efforts
• Establish a central hub of information 

Key Strategies:

• Activate public spaces with arts, cultural heritage, and history
• Improve access and connectivity to arts, cultural heritage, and history
• Revitalize underutilized cultural assets
• Develop a cultural center and/or cultural hub(s)

July 23 - October 1, 2021

A survey and interactive map were available both online and at PopUp! Booths throughout Somerset County to encourage the public to share information about how they enjoy the arts, cultural heritage, and history in the County. The survey captured information about a vision and priorities for arts and culture. The map allowed stakeholders to place a pin in the precise location of their favorite arts, cultural heritage, and historic places in Somerset County. 

PopUp! Locations Included:

• Friday, August 13th, 2021 (Rain Date: August 20th)
  • Manville Farmers Market, Manville, 12-4PM
  • Cruise Night, Somerville, 6-9PM
    
    
• Saturday, August 14th, 2021 (Rain Date: August 21st)
  • Spray Park @ Colonial Park, Franklin, 11AM-1PM
  • Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bridgewater, 2-4PM
    
    
• Sunday, August 15th, 2021 (Rain Date: August 22nd)
  • Market @ Duke Farms, Hillsborough, 11AM-3PM
  • English Farm Market, Bernards, 11AM-3PM
  • Concert @ Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, 5-6:30PM

July 14 – 21, 2021 

The Cultural & Heritage Commission hosted a series of focus groups for organizations in Somerset County to share how art, cultural heritage, and history relate to their organization’s mission and what matters to their members, clients, and/or patrons.  

The focus groups included: 

• Identity Affinity & Alliance Groups  
• Education & Engagement Organizations  
• Natural Systems Organizations  
• Collective Arts (Visual & Performing) Organizations  
• Health Organizations  
• Museums  
• Tourism Organizations  
• Business Organizations 
• History Organizations 

July 27th, 2021, 9:00-10:15AM 

Somerset County Commissioner Melonie Marano and the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission explored how we can use the arts and history to make Somerset County an even better place to live, work and play. Support for the arts, cultural heritage, and history makes for a community that is filled with welcoming, safe and beautiful spaces for people to enjoy—and makes them want to return. The best projects for achieving this are the kind that involve the community and encourage people to work together. Including the arts, culture and history in the planning process encourages people from all different backgrounds to be an active part of the community.

Experts from the arts, heritage, tourism, and film industries shared ideas for using creativity, culture and history to take Somerset County to the next level.

Symposium Panelists included: 

• Steven Gorelick, Executive Director, NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission  
• Taneshia Nash Laird, President & CEO, Newark Symphony Hall 
• Kelly Ruffel, Deputy County Administrator, Passaic County 
• Ben Stone, Director of Arts & Culture, Smart Growth America  

View the recording below:

August 11th, 2021, 4:00-7:00PM

The Cultural & Heritage Commission engaged in a virtual listening session where members of the public told us how they'd like to engage with arts, cultural heritage, and history in Somerset County. This open house-style, drop-in session was dedicated to hearing resident and visitor thoughts and ideas. The virtual open house took place over ZOOM and included four breakout rooms covering the topics of art, cultural heritage, and history, as well as a room for those that preferred to participate in Spanish.  

February 20th, 2024

At the Somerset County Planning Board's regularly scheduled in-person meeting, public comments were taken on the draft SCC&HC Long Range Plan. The public comment period remained open for thirty (30) days from the date of the meeting.