Top 5 Takeaways from #FriscoLEX18

From October 17-19, a group of 42 Frisco representatives traveled to Scottsdale, AZ for the Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Leadership Exchange trip. The goal was to learn best practices from a city of a similar size that has experienced the growth trajectory Frisco has. It was 3 days of learning, discussing, exchanging, breaking barriers, and frankly, a lot of fun.

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Represented in the inaugural group are the Mayor and city leaders, university representatives from 4 institutions, Bank of America executives (sponsors), FISD Superintendent and School Board President, media, developers, corporate leaders, technology experts, lawyers, and more. I was asked to attend as the representative of Arts and Culture as Executive Director of Frisco Association for the Arts.

Here are my Top 5 Takeaways from #FriscoLEX18.

1. Frisco is doing a lot of things right!

We had 2.5 days of a packed agenda, hearing from the Mayor of Scottsdale, the President/CEO of the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, Assistant City Manager, traffic engineer, and multiple panels that focused on Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurism, Workforce Development, Business, and more. I have always been impressed with our city's forward-thinking in building a Smart City, and it shows through many of our leading initiatives and unique public-private partnerships in these sectors. The more I heard, the more I appreciated how much our city has already invested in each of these areas by making them priorities.

2. What is our identity?

One of the things that stood out to me was how both Frisco and Scottsdale leaders spoke about the identity of their respective cities. We referred to Frisco as "The Fastest-growing City in America," the "Best Place to Raise an Athlete," and "The #1 Place to Live" according to Money Magazine.

Scottsdale leaders across the board said "Arts and Culture are part of our DNA", they are the "13th Happiest City in the US", and that their identity is based on 4 things: "Arts and Culture, Healthcare and Medical, Technology, and Sonoran Desert," according to the Assistant City Manager.

Can I tell you how refreshing it was to hear that this city of roughly 250,000 proudly states that their core identity is rooted in arts and culture? It is what they are known for and what visitors expect in Scottsdale. The first artist community sprung up in Scottsdale in 1902, and there are now 40 arts galleries in Old Town Scottsdale. In 1985 they passed a percent for arts in their capital improvement projects (Frisco has done the same), but they also require a percent for art from all PRIVATE developments as well, which goes into the Public Art budget (WOW!). This has led to an abundance of public art near roadways, sidewalks, and every development you see.

The way that we speak about our cities reveals our priorities and what we value. I'm committed to helping our city add on the tagline someday, "Best Place to Raise an Artist," or "Sports and Arts City USA." There's no reason we can't aspire to be both as a well-rounded city.

Frisco already has an impressive public art collection of over 70 pieces, and we've just updated the new Public Arts Master Plan. We also have a percent for art, and we have multiple developers who believe in adding art to their developments without a mandate. We may be behind in arts venues, but we are NOT behind in talent, passion, and parents who have children invested in the arts. We have a thriving creative arts community that when mobilized and given a chance to succeed, can positively impact the quality of life for all and become part of the identity of Frisco, just as we saw in Scottsdale.

3. Creative Placemaking drives identity and tourism.

As the Scottsdale leadership spoke about their city, they kept referring to different districts in town: "The Arts District, the Entertainment District, the Museum District, the Fashion Square District, Old Town," and more. It was clear that Scottsdale has intentionally defined areas to tell a story of the community and highlight the strengths of each neighborhood. Their Scottsdale visitor's map outlines each district and describes the history of the place, the beauty of the place, and the culture of the place. This is the essence of creative placemaking, which contributes to their overall identity and drives tourism.

When I asked this question at our final debrief session, Frisco Development Services Director John Lettelleir shared that Frisco has recently adopted 5 distinct placemaking areas, though unnamed, in the new Downtown Master Plan. This can be accessed from the agenda of Tuesday October 16th's Council Meeting. This was one of the many benefits to the structure of the trip: being able to ask a question and having the right people there to answer.

4. It's time to focus on Arts in Frisco.

To my delight, we spent an entire half day focused on Downtown Revitalization and Arts and Culture. After visiting the Museum of the West, the Scottsdale Performing Arts Center, the Contemporary Art Museum, and hearing from Scottsdale Arts President/CEO, the Public Art coordinator, and the story of how Canal Convergence came together, one thing was crystal clear: Scottsdale has made an investment in the arts and they have no regrets.

Friends, this is the missing piece of the puzzle in Frisco. We've got to up our game for the arts, plain and simple. And it's not about the buildings themselves; it's about the mindset that the arts are valuable, that artists are important, and that "investing in the arts is not an either/or thing," as Gerd Wuestemann, President/CEO of Scottsdale Arts shared.

Also, the fact that we spent time touring the Performing Arts Center (PAC) as a group- not just select individuals, but with everyone, really shows how important this project is to our Frisco Chamber and city leadership. There was a time in Frisco (read previous blogs) where the discussion of a PAC would have resulted in further division and generating more ill-will than creative conversation. Now, the arts and an arts center project are embraced as a focus for our city, and though we have a lot of work to do before we get to the destination, it was an encouragement to see how far we've come.

5. Relationships are the secret sauce to everything.

It's one thing to know a person in their role and title; it's entirely another to interact outside of work and discover new things together. I had already met about 75% of the group through previous work-related meetings, but this trip created opportunities to connect, discuss, and relate with each other at a whole new level.

For instance, I learned that a rugby-playing lawyer is actually an arts advocate, who loves to sing country music and has children in the arts. After chatting at length with the Scottsdale leadership and discussing ideas on the bus ride back, we are exploring a project together that emulates one of Scottsdale's signature events, Canal Convergence. This is the kind of collaboration that may never have happened without this trip.

But most importantly, the biggest takeaway I learned that trumps all others is:

Brush up on your karaoke skills before you take a trip with the Chamber!! 

I may or may not have debuted as an Asian rapper at some point on this trip. (Sorry, no photos or videos. . . available to the public, that is.) #blackmail #please #culturalappropriation #poison #gangstaparadise  (#LEX18 is the Best Trip Ever!)

In all seriousness though, thanks to all at the Frisco and Scottsdale Chamber that made this trip happen. It was an honor to represent Frisco Arts and Culture, and I left with new friends, deeper relationships, and fresh ideas for Frisco's future.