How can a cultural district boost revitalization in my community?
Beautify and animate cities and towns
Provide employment
Attract residents and tourists to the area
Complement adjacent business
Enhance property values
Expand the tax base
Attract well-educated employees
Contribute to a creative, innovate environment
Stimulate small business development
What kinds of facilities are located in a cultural and entertainment district?
Historic structures
Performance spaces
Museums
Galleries
Artist studios
Arts-related retail shops
Book Stores
Music or media production studios
Dance studios
Learning centers, high schools or colleges for the arts
Libraries
Arboretums and gardens
Ethnic enterprises
Graphic design studios
Architectural firms
Retail business such as wine stores, bakeries, gourmet food stores
Restaurants, clubs
What goals can cultural and entertainment districts help a community achieve?
Revitalize a particular area of the city.
Offer evening activities, extending hours during which the area is in use.
Make an area safe and attractive.
Promote and market cultural activities for residents and tourists
Attract facilities for arts and cultural organizations and their activities.
Expand employment opportunities and housing for artists and cultural workers.
Connect the arts and culture more intimately with community development.
Increase understanding of different cultures.
Strengthens ties between different cultures and ethnicities.
Expands and supports small business locations.
What activities might be offered in a Cultural and Entertainment District?
Art classes and educational offerings.
Art creation and rehearsal
Art related street vendors
Art and museum sales
Demonstrations (artists at work)
Exhibitions
Festivals and fairs
Film/media screenings
Gallery hops
How to classes (cooking, stain-glass making)
Literary readings
Performing arts events
Public art
Important Considerations for Cultural District Development and Management
Each cultural district is unique and should reflect the specific cultural, social, and economic needs of its area.
Planning for a cultural district should be part of wider cultural planning for the community at large.
Activities in Cultural Districts should be comfortably accessible to all people.
Cultural district management requires careful coordination among diverse groups. Cultural districts must be part of a package of many strategies to revitalize a community.
Must be welcoming to all people.
Must have appropriate signage and marketing.
Must have dedicated management resources (staff, board and budget).
