Indianapolis has designated six neighborhoods as Cultural Districts: Broad Ripple Village, The Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, and Wholesale District. Four of the six districts are in the downtown area. Each district reflects the personality of its community. The city program (www.discoverculturaldistricts.com/home.htm) encourages public art, public museums, private sector galleries and shops, and engaging recreation.
Pittsburgh Cultural District
The Cultural District is a 14-square block area of the Penn-Liberty Avenue corridor in downtown Pittsburgh, bordered by the Allegheny River. Conceived in 1984 and initially funded by philanthropist H.J. Heinz II, the district is managed by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (www.trustarts.org). The Cultural District features six theaters offering some 1,500 shows annually, as well as art galleries, restaurants, and retail shops. Its landmarks include Allegheny Riverfront Park, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture, Benedum Center, Byham Theater, Harris Theater, Heinz Hall, O’Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery, and Wood Street Galleries.
Indianapolis Cultural Districts Photo Gallery
USA State Programs
Twelve (12) states have programs that encourage the creation of cultural districts. According to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA, www.nasaa-arts.org), these states have established 156 cultural districts across the country.
State programs are as follows:
Arkansas
• Program: Arts and Cultural Districts, launched in 2011
• Agency: Arkansas Arts Council (www.arkansasarts.org)
Colorado
• Program: Creative Districts, launched in 2011
• Agency: Creative Industries Division within the Colorado Office of Economic Development
(www.coloradocreativeindustries.org/communities/colorado-creative-districts/certified-districts)
Indiana
• Program: Arts and Cultural Districts, launched in 2008
• Agency: Indiana Arts Commission (https://secure.in.gov/arts/2654.htm)
Iowa
• Program: Cultural and Entertainment Districts, launched in 2005
• Agency: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (www.culturalaffairs.org)
Kentucky
• Program: Kentucky Cultural Districts, launched in 2011
• Agency: Kentucky Arts Council (http://artscouncil.ky.gov/Cultural/CulturalDistrictsAbout.htm)
Louisiana
• Program: Louisiana Cultural Districts, launched in 2007
• Agency: Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/arts/cultural-districts/district-maps/index)
Maryland
• Program: Arts and Entertainment Districts, launched in 2001
• Agencies: Department of Business and Economic Development and the Maryland State Arts Council
(http://visitmaryland.org/pages/marylandartsentertainmentdistricts.aspx)
Massachusetts
• Program: Cultural Districts, launched in 2010
• Agency: Massachusetts Cultural Council (www.massculturalcouncil.org/services/cultural districts.asp)
New Mexico
• Program: Arts and Cultural Districts, launched in 2007
• Agency: New Mexico Economic Development Department (http://nmartsandculturaldistricts.org)
Rhode Island
• Program: Tax-Free Arts Districts, launched in 1998
• Agency: Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (www.arts.ri.gov/special/districts/) Texas
• Program: Cultural Districts, launched in 2005
• Agency: Texas Commission on the Arts (www.arts.texas.gov/initiatives/cultural-districts/) West Virginia
• Program: Certified Arts Community, launched in 2005
• Agency: West Virginia Division of Arts and Culture (www.wvculture.org/agency/press/certcomm.html)
Several states have legislation that grants local government structures the power to establish arts and cultural districts, with no formal role played by state agencies or departments. This type of district legislation exists in Maine, Mississippi, Missouri,
Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, among others.
