Data isn’t a word that typically comes to mind when most people think about art, but despite its usual affiliation with the world of math and science, artists and nonprofits across Rockland are galvanizing support from residents and urging lawmakers to pursue a solution they say is needed to unlock a thriving, inclusive arts scene in every corner of the county.
As Rockland County embarks on a future towards growth through updating outdated land use policies and modernizing zoning laws in its new comprehensive plan, Envision Rockland, artists and creatives around the county are pushing for a similar solution that would engage local leaders, artists, organizations and residents to develop a long-term vision to invest in elevating Rockland’s artistic scene.
In June, The Arts Council of Rockland, ACOR, launched a petition urging county officials to create a Comprehensive Arts and Culture Plan.
To date, the petition has received more than 450 signatures from local artists, businesses, and residents, with a goal of 500 signatures.
Executive Director of ACOR, Dorothy Atz, says a Comprehensive Arts and Culture Plan would not only collect data on the businesses, organizations, and individuals participating in the arts and culture community but also paint a larger picture of the overall economic impact on the county and identity the gaps of resources and access to the arts in certain communities.
“ I think [the petition] spoke to a lot of people … instead of just having an idea here or an idea there … understanding what the needs are all over the county, not in just one section or another that happens to have a more robust arts community, but everywhere in the county,” said Atzl.
A comprehensive plan would also help to identify strengths and weaknesses within the Rockland arts community and could address artists’ needs for more affordable performance space and robust public transportation to reach venues across the county.
Early career artists like Kency Pierre say a county wide comprehensive art plan could help launch the careers of many aspiring artists and help struggling artists make a living off their work.
“More events could increase exposure for artists like me and help us to profit off our work and increase funding for workshops to improve my skills is also great, because although art school teaches you some stuff, it’s not everything,” said Pierre
Similar comprehensive plans can be seen in other counties across New York state, with a comprehensive arts plan underway in Monroe County and a comprehensive plan recently completed this spring in Ulster County.
Along with gathering economic impact, previously completed comprehensive plans included goals for programming, cultural economic development, identified funding sources for public art, performance, and education programming, and promoted equitable access to resources and representation across all artistic disciplines, communities, and cultural traditions.
Pierre believes if Rockland officials were to make a similar commitment to potential investments and goals the outcome would not only benefit artists but the community at large. She says initiatives like public art could generate tourism and add value to preexisting neighborhoods in the eyes of many residents.
“If we had more public art, people would want to maintain that beauty,” Pierre said, “and they would feel proud to have things like paintings or murals in their community, and they want to keep it beautiful, and they want to keep our communities clean.”
But beyond data points, goals and public improvements, investing in art also has the power to bring a community closer together.
at the Haverstraw Brick Museum, Haverstraw on May 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of ACOR)
Matthew Seig, the executive director of Rivertown Film Society, which hosts events and promotes artists in Rockland, believes that an official comprehensive arts and culture plan could be the catalyst for fostering more interactions between diverse communities by facilitating community input and laying the foundation for a greater understanding of the needs of each individual community.
“Rockland County has tremendous divisions, like every place does, [there are] communities that don’t overlap much, and arts can help bring people together,” Seig said. “And I think one way of encouraging that is for people to know what’s going on.”
Atzl says the petition is the first step in the process of inching towards creating a comprehensive plan in the county. Although the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds of community members signing and commenting in support, the plan has not been formally presented to county officials.
According to the county, in 2025, Rockland invested approximately $880,000 to the arts community through direct agency contracts and tourism grants and is proposing to increase investment to $930,000 for fiscal year 2026.
The county also estimates the investment in arts and tourism saves the average household approximately $800 a year in county property taxes.
In addition, Atzl says the county sends a representative from its economic development and tourism office to Rockland Arts Coalition meetings to solicit input and feedback. These meetings are hosted separately from ACOR and are open to anyone interested in advocating for or learning about the arts.
While economic development and tourism have the potential to play a significant role in a future comprehensive plan, Seig says the plan also opens up the opportunity to move beyond looking at art as a way to attract visitors to the county, but rather to cultivate appreciation and participation among residents.
Seig says the plan also opens up the opportunity to move beyond looking at art as a way to attract visitors to the county, but rather to cultivate appreciation and participation among residents.
“I think we need to now move another step and get people in Rockland County excited about what’s here in Rockland County, that there’s great culture in Rockland County, and we don’t have to go anywhere else to enjoy it.”