Drive into downtown Frederick, Havre de Grace, Hyattsville, Snow Hill, Cumberland and any number of neighborhoods in Baltimore, and you might notice colorful banners proclaiming them as arts districts. Thanks to the state Arts & Entertainment Districts program, art’s profile has been raised in 22 communities across Maryland.
The program, which uses arts and culture as a springboard to spur economic development and community revitalization in Maryland’s downtowns, has created jobs – a whopping 4,000 plus – and new businesses, helped pull off scores of events and festivals, and supported working artists through tax credits. The A&E District program in Maryland, considered a national leader in elevating arts and culture at the state level, won a leadership award February 5 from the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission.
In 2001, Maryland was the first state to implement a program to support arts, culture and downtown revitalization. The program draws attention to downtown artistic and cultural attractions while capitalizing on each community’s unique qualities.
A&E Districts spotlight what is unique and trademark to a district
“They use the essence of the community: What is the sense of place? What is it that makes this place special? … and they market that,” said Pamela Dunn, program director of the Maryland State Arts Council, which runs the A&E District program. “They brand whatever it is that is unique and diverse about their communities.”
An interesting crosswalk design in the Bromo Arts Tower A&E District.
Designations have helped increase public safety by putting more people on streets and sidewalks, better aesthetics through public art and streetscaping, and created affordable housing. Perhaps most important, the program has played a significant role in revitalizing downtowns, many of which need a boost.
To become a designated district, community applicants show that they have a high concentration of arts and cultural facilities and have built public support. The program then helps communities with tax credits that attract entrepreneurs to improve buildings or support artist housing, marketing assistance and mini-grants.
In Frederick, the A&E district program began in 2003. It has contributed to a citywide transformation, garnering Frederick recognition as one of CNN’s Comeback Cities and one of the country’s Top 25 Arts Cities. During Frederick’s first 10 years as an A&E district, it expanded public art, created a new visitors’ center, started popular First Saturday events and reconstructed Carroll Creek Park with a 250-seat amphitheater, pedestrian bridges and plenty of public art. In 2012, 66 percent of Frederick downtown businesses saw increased revenues over the previous year.
“We see arts as a critical piece of our economic niche,” said Kara Norman, director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership. “It’s the unique things that attract people to come back to Frederick again and again.”
Mar 07, 2014 @ 19:46:22