Tag: cape ann cultural districts

cultural districts across the state convened at Natick Center for the Arts MCC #powerofculture

Posted on by Catherine

Cape Ann participated in the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) statewide cultural district convening which was hosted by the Natick Center for the Arts. Statewide district gatherings occur once or twice a year: the last two were held in Cambridge, and Beverly. Representatives from Gloucester, Rockport and Essex cultural districts were in attendance. (Manchester and Ipswich do not not have a designation at this time. Gloucester could have seven.)

Massachusetts Cultural Council Director, Anita Walker, welcomed the crowd, and introduced officials from Natick and new additions to the MCC staff. Jill Cahill, Gloucester’s Director of Community Development, brought a gift from the Mayor and the City to add to a send-off  of thanks and well wishes for Meri Jenkins, longtime MCC leader who managed cities and towns through cultural facilities funding and district designations. Luis Edgardo Cotto and Justina Crawford will be taking over the MCC Community Initiative programs managed by Meri.

MERI JENKINS helped cities and towns statewide having served Massachusetts Cultural Council nearly 20+ years_©c ryan Oct 2018 MCC cultural district convening Natick MA venue.jpg

 

The MCC approved five year district renewals for both Rocky Neck and Rockport last year. District renewal for Gloucester’s downtown is underway. Essex received official citations for their renewal at this convening. Here’s a photo of Christopher Stepler, artist and Manager of Essex Shipbuilding Museum, and Lee Spence, former Director. One update they shared was that the successful historic exhibition The Women of Essex – Stories to Share displayed at Essex Town Hall in a renovated bright space on the top floor above the TOHP Burnham Public Library (thanks in part to Cultural Facilities funding) was selected to travel to the NPS regional Visitor Center in Salem.

courtesy photo_Essex District renewal_MCC cultural district convening at Natick Center for the Arts October 16 2018.jpg

 

prior GMG post with MCC October news 

MA senate votes on creative economy master plan

Posted on by Catherine

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One of Senator Tarr’s bills, the 4 cultural districts and a failed vote were reported by Kate Lannan in today’s Gloucester Daily Times.

The bill

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the secretary of housing and economic affairs, in consultation with the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council, the executive director of travel and tourism and the secretary of labor and workforce development, shall develop and maintain a master plan for the development and advancement of the creative economy throughout the commonwealth, provided that such plan shall be reviewed and updated in increments of not less than three years.

For the purposes of this section the creative economy shall include but not be limited to elements that encompass the visual and performing arts, cultural interpretation and presentation, tourism and affiliated economic activities related to and dependent thereon.

In developing and maintaining said plan the secretary shall seek to ensure inclusion of necessary components to support and strengthen the creative economy of each region and sub region of the commonwealth, as their special circumstances may escalate, and shall seek to maximize and capture to the fullest extent possible the opportunities for job creation, workforce training and skills development, in such regions and sub regions.

The process of developing and maintaining such plan shall include, but not be limited to, at least one public hearing in each geographic region identified in the plan, provided further that the plan shall recognize and support cultural districts as critical resources in advancing its goals.

https://malegislature.gov/

S.202 SD.1688 By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 202) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to create a creative economy master plan. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.

creative economy stats: of the 226,000 North Shore jobs, how many do you think are arts and culture related?    Tourism related doubles that count

Gloucester Downtown Harbortown Cultural District

Gloucester Rocky Neck Cultural District

Rockport Cultural District

Essex Cultural District

Download the Cape Ann Cultural Districts Mobile app today and promote to visitors to Cape Ann all season!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Get It On iTunes Here

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Get It For Android Here

 

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The “Cape Ann Cultural Districts” mobile app is available in the Apple and Android apps stores and can be downloaded free on these sites or scan the QR code.

The mobile all continues to increase awareness of Cape Ann’s creative communities, individual artists, museums, recreational attractions, historic sites, restaurants, lodgings and businesses. The mobile app provides a free, consolidated, flexible platform to access information and way-finding for each of the four state-designated Cape Ann cultural districts – Essex River, Gloucester’s Harbor town, Gloucester’s Rocky Neck and Rockport.

Each cultural district has its own page and directory listing of cultural offerings and businesses that include a description, location, phone number, directions and links to web sites and other associated social media sites.   This year visitors and residents who download the app with find calendar event links to interesting and engaging activities around Cape Ann.  The consolidation of events in one app will make is easier to plan, locate and enjoy all that the area has to offer.  Several merchants on Cape Ann will be offering discount coupons which will only be available through the app. 

Best

Jean Grobe

 

app screen shot cropped