STRENGTHENING AND CONNECTING TO THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF COMMUNITIES
This is the fifth in a series of briefs that describe the changes, insights, and lessons when arts and cultural strategies are deployed in service of comprehensive community development and planning. During ArtPlace America's Community Development Investments initiative, six participating organizations which had not previously focused on the arts developed creative placemaking projects and cultural strategies that could help them more effectively achieve their missions. PolicyLink conducted a research and documentation project to measure the progress, immediate outcomes, and impacts of those projects. This brief examines how artists have worked with community developers to weave a stronger social fabric, enabling marginalized communities to pursue changes that lead to greater equity, resilience, and authentic local democracy. 

SUCCESS MEASURES MEASUREMENT TOOLS
Success Measures offers a comprehensive suite of more than 350 data collection instruments that can be used to measure a wide range of contextual, perceived and observable changes in individuals and communities. Success Measures' newest set of tools measure the health-related outcomes of community development work.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

THE ASSEMBLY: CIVIC DESIGN GUIDELINES
The Assembly Guidelines capture the culmination of four years of research and collaboration—with input from 200+ studies, 50+ cities, and dozens of expert advisors—to provide evidence-based design and maintenance strategies for creating cities where people trust each other, have confidence in local institutions, and actively work together to address local priorities.

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOCIAL & CIVIC PRACTICE AND WHY I FIND IT USEFUL
In a response to a previous essay, Michael Rohd, discusses how Civic Practice and Social Practice are not the same thing. While the term Civic Practice aims to help establish an area of artistic practice framed by markers having to do with intention and process, Social Practice covers a tremendously varied and large body of work. 

THE FIELD GUIDE FOR CREATIVE PLACEMAKING AND PARKS
The Field Guide is intended to connect creative placemaking with parks and open spaces. It answers two important questions: first, "What is creative placemaking?" and second, "How does creative placemaking make for better parks and stronger communities?"