In almost every community across the United States , once-flourishing cultural traditions are challenged by the accelerating pace of modern life, the homogenizing effects of popular culture, weakening generational ties, and, in some cases, a lack of marketing savvy. Beginning with discovery research, Cultural Resources, Inc., offers tools and training to help people revitalize cultural life within their communities, increase revenues from cultural activity, and rediscover pride in the communities and groups to which they belong.

• Discovery research training
We offer workshops aimed at helping you uncover and discover the full range of cultural activity within your community.  First, we guide you through exercises in observation; information gathering and community organizing that show you how to evaluate your community’s cultural potential.  Next, we assist you in conducting a community-wide cultural inventory.  This process includes not only surveying established organizations but also identifying and encouraging less visible ethnic, economic, educational and occupational groups as well. Naming assets empowers a community not only to recognize where value lies but also to identify resources that can be leveraged. Finally, we examine the results of the inventory.  What do these resources tell us about our sense of place? What does it tell us about local values? What initiatives can be developed to support these resources and sustain local culture?

• Cultural heritage tourism development
Building on the results of discovery research, we can assist in the development of cultural tours and guides, audio tours and exhibitions that celebrate local culture.

• Ethnographic marketing
Designed for practicing artists connected to specific ethnic, immigrant, tribal or occupational groups, this workshop explores a range of marketing options that  highlights the cultural context in which work is created. In order for customers to better gain a better appreciation of the history, skills and expertise of the traditional art, ethnographic marketing emphasizes telling the story of the tradition in a direct and compelling way, based on firsthand interviews with practicing artists.

• Community cultural development
We provide communities with tools and strategies including grant writing and program planning that will help sustain their local cultural heritage.