Social impact and organizational mission

In this chapter, we examine how cultural organizations develop, disseminate, and act upon their values, vision, and mission. Core beliefs define the basic principles held by people within the institution -- they also work to attract engagement and support from external stakeholders such as customers, donors, and critics. An organization’s values serve as the foundation for all of its programs and practices, while its vision looks to the future and describes its desired goals and outcomes. Mission statements bring together both established core values and imagined ambitions for the future. Creative place-keeping projects connect cultural organizations, government planning agencies, community development groups, artists, small businesses, and neighborhood residents.