NCCP had a great 2013, looking forward to 2014

In 2013, NCCP's first full year, we were busy -- good busy.

By Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP

We helped 11 communities in Louisiana and New Jersey do quality creative placemaking. We created steering committees for both the national consortium and one focused in New Jersey.  With The Ohio State University, we launched the nation's first graduate program in creative placemaking. We shared our insights with arts and public affairs professionals in Delaware, Louisiana and New Jersey.  

Creative placemaking in Long Beach Island, NJ

We contributed to sustainability efforts in New Jersey, taught leadership skills to mental and behavioral health professionals in the state.  We built strong partnerships and got support from two of New Jersey's leading arts funders. 

NCCP generated more than $210,000 in contracts, grants and earned income, allowing us to expand from a solo operation to a four-member team. We also helped our clients get more than $77,000 in grants.

Leo joined the faculty of Ohio State University's City and Regional Planning section of the Austin Knowlton School of Architecture.  He taught Arts and Entertainment Planning in the fall semester, and is teaching Planning Ethics in the spring.  In the fall, he plans to teach Local Economic Development.

Planning for parks in East Orange, NJ

We'll have more on this in our upcoming 2013 annual report.

We're looking forward to a productive 2014.  We're developing a creative placemaking plan for Perth Amboy, NJ.  We'll be presenting our community coaching model at the American Planning Association national conference. And we're preparing to offer the Creative Placemaking Certification program again at Ohio State University in the fall. (And now that we've built up our team, we have the capacity to take on more assignments.)

Also look for a new logo, website and to hear more from us in 2014.