WHEREAS, The Downtown Arts and Cultural District, bounded by Route 6, County Street, Walnut Street and the waterfront, includes a critical mass of premiere art and cultural institutions, educational institutions, galleries, arts related businesses and creative individuals engaged in the visual, literary and performing arts as well as those involved in the preservation and celebration of history and heritage; and
WHEREAS, The Downtown Arts and Cultural District recognizes and celebrates downtown New Bedford as a hub for arts and cultural related organizations, businesses and creative individuals in the region; and
WHEREAS, The Downtown Arts and Cultural District provides downtown with a positive image, beautifies and animates the downtown and provides marketing and programming opportunities to enhance business, attract visitors and improve the quality of life for all residents; and
WHEREAS, The Downtown Arts and Cultural District will promote community, cultural and economic development which expands business and cultural institutions, promotes diversity, increases employment, attracts creative individuals, increases housing, enhances property values and increases the tax base; and
WHEREAS, The Downtown Arts and Cultural District continues the celebrated history and traditions of New Bedford as a city of art and culture that welcomed and inspired Herman Melville, Frederick Douglass, Albert Bierstadt, William Bradford, and many others; and
WHEREAS, The Downtown Arts and Cultural District is supported by numerous downtown planning efforts, the City’s Master Plan, Arts New Bedford and numerous arts and cultural organizations and entities; and
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT PROCLAIMED, That the Downtown New Bedford Arts and Culture District
is hereby established.
_________________________________________________________
Dear Downtown Stakeholder:
We are proud to announce the upcoming creation of the Downtown Arts and Culture District. Enclosed please see the proclamation that will establish the district.
The creation of the Downtown Arts and Culture District will be the culmination of a careful planning process that encompassed the Regional Community Congress’ Arts and Culture Network, the About Face downtown charette, and the AHA!/Arts Coalition Planning Committee’s Painting the Future charette. From all these outreach efforts, a clear consensus emerged that our downtown would benefit from the creation of the district.
Here are some of the benefits we envision:
The creation of the district does not impose any changes in the way businesses operate or residents live in the downtown area. Rather, it will lay a foundation that can be used to provide new opportunities for businesses, nonprofit organizations, residents and artists.
If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts to continue developing New Bedford as an arts and culture destination, please visit www.artsnewbedford.org. We also encourage you to get involved with our activities and invite you to attend a celebration of the arts in New Bedford and the creation of the Downtown Arts and Culture District on Saturday, October 23 at the New Bedford Art Museum, from 5 to 8 pm. Please RSVP by October 12 by calling (508) 991-4556 x12. Light refreshments will be served.
We hope to see you on the 23rd!
Sincerely,
Hon. Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. David M. Prentiss
Mayor Co-Chair, Arts New Bedford
ANB
General Meetings
Join us for the next Arts New Bedford Steering Committee meeting
Date:
The Third Friday of every month
Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
In the National Park Visitor
Center conference room
33 William Street - Downtown New Bedford
This
is your city as well as your art.
Bring your questions and ideas and put your stamp on this project.
SPECIAL
EVENTS
October 1&2, 2005
City-Wide Open Studio Event
1) Download Artist's
Information Page here (PDF
format)
2) Download
Artist Participation Form here (PDF format)
3)
United Way of Greater New Bedford -
Support for the Project (html format)
Downtown to the Mills:
The Artful Working City of New Bedford
Did you know that some of
the nation's most renowned artists are working in the historic, lofty mill
spaces of New Bedford. Fine furniture, award-winning glass art and textiles,
ceramics, and more can be found in these mills.
Textile mills in New
Bedford's south end have been converted into working studios accomodating
over 40 artists. New Bedford's north end is home to several studio buildings,
including the new Ropewalk, a historic rope mill converted into artist's live/work
spaces. Downtown features artist-run studios and galleries.
Take for example long-time artists Arthur Moniz and Bob Duff, or the CBS featured
artist John Magnan. Not far from this Centre Street cluster of artists are
the studios at ArtWorks!, painters, sculptors and more can be found in this
historic 19th century Victorian warehouse building. Not more than
a block away is the Cummings building, filled with emerging artists. UMass
Dartmouth's crown jewel, the Star Store downtown campus of the College of
Visual and Performing Arts, is a tremendous hub of artistic activity.
Nestled betwixt so much visual art making are groups like the Zeiterion Theater, Culture Park, Festival Theater, the New Bedford Symphony to name just a few, who are dedicated to serving musicians and performers. Spinner Publications features local authors and Gallery X features local musicians and poets in addition to visual artists.
Premier local attractions like the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the New Bedford Art Museum and Rotch Jones Duff House also provide exceptional arts and cultural programming.
This Open Studio Event will feature all
of this, and more, and at no cost to the public. Stay tuned for more details!
Arts New Bedford in the News
Click here to read the Standard-Times Article about ANB
"Championing
Arts And Culture."
AHA! Nights