Beyond the Grand Canyon

The Setting

Arizona evokes images of deserts and the Grand Canyon. But the Arizona Humanities Council (AHC) staff knew the state was much more – it offered distinct geographic regions, each with a unique culture and heritage. The AHC decided to find ways to help develop the “product” – sites, stories and traditions – that could tell Arizona’s story to visitors. They approached the project from the perspective that cultural heritage tourism is not only preservation, it is economic development.

What Happened Next

Work began by documenting the economic development potential of cultural heritage tourism and then creating programs to support its development:

• Produced a study documenting the potential for an improved economy
• Recruited involvement from museums, cultural sites and economic development organizations
• Created a workbook, Cultural Heritage Tourism, to guide local development
• Revised the AHC’s website, Arizona History Traveler
• Produced a CD-ROM highlighting the economics of cultural heritage tourism

Results

• Built strong collaborations in many communities
• Created an “Arts and Culture Build Communities” fund to award grants to rural areas.
• Received support from Arizona Tourism Alliance in request for state funding.

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