If the holidays are any indication, art and culture in Durango seem to be thriving.

Numerous artisan markets and cultural events are taking place all over town and, simultaneously, city staff members are working to answer what role they should play to support the arts and culture year-round.

This past weekend two dozen artists represented by “Studio &” wrapped up another successful Bizarre Bazaar, a holiday marketplace where, like the Durango Farmers Market, consumers buy directly from producers – in this case our local artists.

Through December 23rd, the Durango Arts Center is hosting a Winter Solstice Artisans’ Market that features more than 40 regional artists offering original arts and crafts for purchase.

From home studio open houses to the holiday market at the fairgrounds, local artisans are coming out for the holidays to share their creative talents. Yet, there can be a big difference between the perception of a flourishing arts scene measured by the sheer number of artists and activities, and the actual quality of experience that artists and patrons enjoy.

So it is exciting that for the first time the city of Durango is including an arts and culture element in its comprehensive plan update and is taking the time to look a little deeper at what a town like ours needs to support a thriving, not just surviving, arts and culture community.

With residents’ opinions and ideas, this chapter will define the role of the city in supporting arts and cultural initiatives for the next ten years. This outreach kicked off last week with a Community Open House that asked participants to respond to a handful of questions including:

‰ What is Durango’s cultural and creative identity?

‰ How do the cultural and creative sectors contribute to Durango?

‰ What are the key cultural facilities that Durango needs?

At a similar open house held earlier this month that solicited input on Durango’s Housing Plan, Kevin Hall, community development director, said that the city has expended considerable resources acquiring parks and open space, and it is perhaps time to put more resources into housing. To that we would add “and the arts.”

Artists need affordable housing and a creative space to make art. How might city plans support this goal, the need for quality, adequately sized practice and performance spaces and increased funding for arts and cultural organizations?

These are among the ideas shared at last week’s open house. Help ensure the sustainability of Durango’s vital arts and culture scene by responding to the online survey at durangoplanupdate.org.

The deadline to participate is Thursday at 11 p.m.