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The City recognizes that Durham's rich cultural heritage is an important part of what makes <br />our neighborhoods thrive, attracts tourism and business development, and brings together the <br />community. Durham supports a vibrant arts community, historic preservation, and social and cultural <br />diversity through policies, ordinances, economic incentives, and special events. <br />Arts and Iltu r <br />Durham Civil Rights Mural next <br />to the Durham Arts Council <br />Arts and culture play a significant role in sustainable development, community cohesion, youth <br />education, creative self - expression, economic development, and revitalization. Durham has a strong arts <br />community representing approximately 4.2% of all business in the county according to the Local Arts <br />Index. <br />The City and County adopted the Durham Cultural Master <br />Plan in 2004, which lays out strategies for strengthening <br />the arts and cultural sector. Currently, the City of Durham <br />is partnering with the Durham Arts Council to implement <br />the first phase of the 10 -year SmART Vision Plan focused <br />on creating three pedestrian corridors that connect cultural <br />landmarks in the heart of downtown through public art, <br />streetscaping, greenways, and wayfinding to create a more <br />cohesive, vibrant urban center. <br />II° °viii tairiii c 11::Ireseirvatiain <br />Every season, the City -owned Durham <br />Performing Arts Center (DPAC) attracts <br />hundreds of thousands of guests, <br />creating a significant boost to the local <br />economy. In the 2015 -2016 season, over <br />500,000 guests attended DPAC, adding <br />over $79 million to Durham's economy. <br />Efforts to protect, rehabilitate, restore and creatively reuse historically significant properties have been <br />vital to preserving Durham's unique character and charm amidst pressures of continual population <br />growth. Restoring and redeveloping properties not only safeguards our collective history, but also <br />14 1 City of (Durham 20!7 Sustainability Report <br />