At least 105 municipalities in the USA have planned or implemented cultural districts.

Wednesday September 3, 2008

This blog and list is a work in progress, periodically updated and revised. By its very nature, it is a rough document, and we apologize for this unavoidable fact. We welcome your input and/or corrections.

At least 105 municipalities in the US have planned or implemented cultural districts, positioning the arts and culture as the center of revitalization efforts. (*See bottom of this posting for list of all 105) Although many municipalities may indeed have more than one cultural district – be they official or not – this blog is most interested in cases concerning the past 30 years. We are specifically concerned with cases wherein there was some concerted effort – whether by a government entity, a business community or a civic group – to create some kind of cultural district in a specific area, which was organized around pre-existing institutions and, in other cases, around an emerging district of galleries, theaters etc. In some situations, they were organized around a specific historic cultural theme such as Birmingham’s Civil Rights Heritage district. In nearly all instances, there is a hope that such a center of cultural activity will enhance the desirability of an urban area and attract more investment as well as tax paying citizenry to inhabit the municipality. The impact of cultural districts is measurable. The arts and areas with historic structures attract residents and tourists, who also support adjacent businesses such as restaurants, lodging, retail and entertainment. The presence of the arts and cultural opportunities enhances property values, the tax base of the region and the profitability of surrounding businesses. These districts attract a diverse and well-educated workforce—a key incentive for new and relocating businesses. These districts contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community.

Eight states have programs and policies in place, leading to the establishment of 58 local districts.

BELOW IS A LIST OF THE EIGHT STATES AND THEIR RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY FOR THE PROGRAMS:

Indiana: Indiana Arts Commission: http://www.in.gov/arts/

Iowa: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs: http://www.culturalaffairs.org/

Louisiana: Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism: http://www.crt.state.la.us/

Maryland: Maryland State Arts Council: http://www.msac.org/

New Mexico: New Mexico Main Street Program: http://www.nmmainstreet.org/

Rhode Island: Rhode Island State Council on the Arts: http://www.arts.ri.gov/

Texas: Texas Commission on the Arts: http://www.arts.state.tx.us/

West Virginia: West Virginia Commission on the Arts: http://www.wvculture.org/arts/index.html

AT THIS TIME, FOUR OTHER STATES ARE CONSIDERING SUCH PROGRAMS AND RELATED LEGISLATION IS PENDING:

Illinois: Illinois Arts Council: http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/

Michigan: Department of Labor and Economic Growth: http://www.michigan.gov/dleg

New York: N/A

Pennsylvania: N/A

No further information about these four states is currently available.

IN TERMS OF STATE PROGRAMS FOR TAX CREDITS:

Admissions & Amusement Tax Exemption for Maryland

Income Tax Credit for Maryland New Mexico and Rhode Island

Preservation Tax Credit for Iowa Louisiana and New Mexico

Property Tax Credit for Iowa and Maryland

Sales Tax Credit for Louisiana and Rhode Island

* LIST OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE PLANNED OR IMPLEMENTED CULTURAL DISTRICTS:

Aimes, IA:
http://www.mainstreetculturaldistrict.com/

Albeuqueque, NM:
http://albuquerque.clubhouseinn.com/apg_1136849999.php

Anchorage, AK:
http://www.artsculture.org/what.asp

Annapolis, MD:
http://authenticart.blogspot.com/2008/01/annapolis-plans-for-new-arts-district.html

Augusta, GA:
http://www.augustaarts.com/

Austin, TX:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/downtown/call_ca.htm

Baltimore, MD:
http://baltimore.org/visitors/tour-baltimore/self-guided-tours/mount-vernon-cultural-district

Bellingham, WA:
http://www.newwhatcom.org/

Birmingham, AL:
http://www.proseandphotos.com/birmingham.htm

Boston, MA:
http://www.fenwayculture.org/

Buffalo, NY:
http://allenstreet.com/

Burlington, NJ:
http://www.tourburlington.org/DoArts.html

Cambridge, MA:
http://www.harvardsquare.com/ae.aspx

Camden, NJ:
http://www.camdenwaterfront.com/cooper.asp

Charlotte, NC:
http://www.noda.org/

Chattanooga, TN:
http://www.bluffviewartdistrict.com/

Cincinattie, OH:
http://www.irhine.com/index.jsp

Cleaveland, OH:
http://www.universitycircle.org/

Columbia, OH:
http://www.columbiastation.com/index2.shtml

Columbus, OH:
http://www.shortnorth.org/

Covington, KY:
http://www.covingtonarts.com/

Dallas, TX:
http://www.artsdistrict.org/

Decorah, IA:
http://www.covingtonarts.com/

Deland, FL:
http://www.deland.org/commdev/develop.htm

Denison, TX:
http://www.denisontx.com/quality/recreation.htm

Denver, CO:
http://www.tscd.org/

Des Moines, IA:
http://www.rooseveltculturaldistrict.com/links.html

Detroit, MI:
http://outside.in/Cultural_District_Detroit_MI

Eureka, CA:
http://www.ci.eureka.ca.gov/default.asp

Evansville, IN:
http://www.bsu.edu/capic/culturalindy/districts/indiana/rfp/inave_blueprint_history.pdf

Flint, MI:
http://www.mott.org/Home/publications/Mott%20Mosaic/December2007/flint%20December%202007.aspx

Fort Worth, TX:
http://www.fwculture.com/

Ft Lauderdale, FL:
http://www.goriverwalk.com/

Gainesville, FL:
http://www.cityofgainesville.org/comdev/plan/histpres.shtml

Grinnel, IA:
http://www.poweshiekcountyiowa.com/blog/?p=36

Hartford, CT:
http://www.cceda.state.ct.us/adriaen/index.htm

Houma, LA:
http://www.discoverourtown.com/LA/Houma/Organizations-34.html

Houston, TX:
http://www.ccculturaldistrict.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18

Indianapolis, IN: http://www.indydt.com/culturaldistricts.html

Iowa City, IA:
http://icdowntown.com/

Jersey City, NJ:
http://www.jcedc.org/new/waldofaqnew.html

Kettering, OH:
http://www.ci.kettering.oh.us/

Lafayette, LA:
http://www.acadianacenterforthearts.org/

Long Beach, CA:
http://www.visitlongbeach.com/listings/index.cfm?catid=41&navID=30

Louisville, KY:
http://www.downtowndevelopmentcorp.org/

Lubbock, TX:
http://www.lubbockarts.org/socd.asp

Lynn, MA:
http://www.lynndevelopment.com/NEWS2004/12_07_04_dei.htm

Manchester, NH: http://www.offbeattravel.com/tji-manchester-new-hampshire.html

Marion, IL:
http://www.cityofmarionil.gov/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=2

Miami, Fl:
http://www.miamiartspace.com/?p=5

Miami Beach, FL:
http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/CANDO/

Minneapolis, MN:
http://northeastminneapolisartsdistrict.com/

Mobile, AL:
http://www.mobilearts.org/

Mount Vernon, NY:
http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/urban/ccpd/districtgroup.pdf

Newark, NJ:
http://www.lpccd.org/

New Brunswick, NJ:
http://www.newbrunswick.com/content.php?content=Board%20Of%20Directors_block

New Haven, CT:
http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/economicdevelopment/culturalaffairs.asp

New Orleans, LA:
http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/neighborhoodguide/artsdistrict.html

New York City, NY: Currently, there are four such projects, two with official status and two that are being developed. See below.

1) http://fabnyc.org/
2) http://www.dbpartnership.org/lookingahead/bamcd/
3) http://www.bronxarts.org/southbronxculturalcorridor.asp
4) http://www.jamaicafunk.org/djcd/jamaica/

North Hollywood, CA:
http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/default.asp

Oakland, CA:
http://www.jingletown.org/

Peekskill NY:
http://www.peekskillartscouncil.org/art_.php See

Philadelphia, PA:
http://www.avenueofthearts.org/index.php

Phoenix, AZ:
http://www.phoenixartspace.com/articles/144

Pittsburgh, PA:
http://www.pgharts.org/

Portland, ME:
http://www.portlandmaine.com/index.php?sec=3Portland,OR

Providence, RI:
http://www.providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism/tax_incentives-local.html

Quincy, IL:
http://www.ci.quincy.il.us/PD/Preservation/QLLDD.htm

Racine, WI:
http://racine.wi.net/tourfp.php3

Raleigh, NC:
http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_203_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/project/public/livable_streets/cultural_convention.htm

Riverhead, NY:
http://www.riverheadli.com/planning.html

Rochester, NY:
http://www.artsrochester.org/

Rockford, IL:
http://www.riverdistrict.com/about.htm

Rock Island, IL:
http://www.ridistrict.com/

Sacramento, CA:
http://www.sacforart.com/nsac.html

San Diego, CA:
http://www.foothillcd.com/

San Jose, CA:
http://www.sjdowntown.com/sofa/

Santa Barbara, CA:
http://www.santabarbaradowntown.com/

Santa Fe, NM:
http://www.canyonroadarts.com/

Sarasota, FL:
http://www.sarasotagov.com/Planning/ProjectsPrograms/CulturalDistrictMP/CulturalDistrictHP.html

Savannah, GA:
http://www.savannahvisit.com/visitors_artsculture.asp?0=3

Scottsdale, AZ:
http://www.scottsdalegalleries.com/

Seattle, WA:
http://www.nwculture.com/NWC/CityDistricts/Fremont/1HP/1FS/1FhpFS.html

Sedalia, MO:
http://ci.sedalia.mo.us/filestorage/190/196/GIS_Map_DowntownDistricts.pdf

St. Louis, MO:
http://www.grandcenter.org

St. Paul, MN:
http://www.stpaul.gov/index.asp?NID=1166

Tacoma, WA:
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?nid=562 See

Tampa, FL:
http://www.tampachamber.com/ti_arts.asp

Temecula, CA:
http://www.cityoftemecula.org/Temecula/Residents/Arts/

Trenton, NJ:
http://www.trentonnj.org/documents/planning_downtownmasterplan/ch_4_Capital_District.pdf

Troy, NY:
http://www.uncle-sams-home.com/ush_rsrc.html

Tuscon, AZ:
http://www.homeandabroad.com/c/85/Site/116403_Tucson_Arts_District_visit.html

Van Buren, AR:
http://www.vanburen.org/

Ventura, CA:
http://www.cityofventura.net/community_services/cultural_affairs/

Washington, DC: http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/information2546/information_show.htm?doc_id=337121

Willimantic, CT: http://www.willimanticstreetfest.com/wri.htm