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Above, attendees celebrate awards provided for cultural districts across the state. Front row, fourth from the left is Franklin's Director of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Cory Shea. Back row, fourth from left, is Mass. Cultural Council Executive Director, Michael Bobbitt. (Image courtesy City of Lowell)
Thursday, at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Mass Cultural Council hosted an event with local and state officials and cultural partners to announce and celebrate $870,000 in new grant funding to 58 state-designated cultural districts. Among the attendees was Franklin's Director of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Cory Shea.
These districts, located in host communities in every single region of the Commonwealth, will receive awards from the Fiscal Year 2025 Cultural District Investment Grant Program. The grants will continue the development and success of the cultural districts and foster local cultural preservation.
“Cultural Districts are the heart and soul of our communities,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “They are vibrant hubs of creativity that enrich our lives with art and expression while driving economic growth and fostering local pride. Mass Cultural Council is proud of the work that Cultural Districts do all across the state and we are pleased to continue to support them with this funding.”
As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities.
This year, each of the 58 state-designated cultural districts will receive a $15,000 award. This funding supports activities and goals such as, but not limited to, marketing and promotion; capacity building; artist or vendor fees; the development or implementation of creative community placekeeping or public art; collaborative cultural policy or strategic planning processes; and community-engaged and informed data collection and/or reporting.
Established in 2011 by an act of the state Legislature, state-designated cultural districts drive economic growth, strengthen our communities’ distinctive local character, and improve the quality of life for families across Massachusetts. By supporting cultural and creative experiences, cultural districts attract tourists and entrepreneurs, which in turn help cities and towns develop their cultural sector and expand their tax base. Cultural districts are navigable areas with a density of cultural facilities, activities, and assets. They act as hubs of cultural, artistic, and economic activity, and offer a place-based identity to collaborative community initiatives.
Not just a tourism driver and point of community pride, the Cultural Districts Initiative helps host communities access financial support: state law stipulates that state-designated cultural districts are eligible to benefit from programs, services, and economic development tools offered by state agencies, constitutional offices, and quasi-governmental agencies.
Representatives of Lowell’s Canalway Cultural District and Haverhill’s Riverfront Cultural District spoke at today’s event to detail the impact this grant will have in their communities.
"The Lowell Cultural District elevates the downtown and has helped draw in new restaurants to make Lowell an incredibly unique "foodie destination" in the region,” said Thomas A. Golden, Lowell City Manager. “In addition, the district has helped partner with the city to launch the Pop-Up Project, a new retail initiative bringing businesses into downtown Lowell."
"Our district is home to nonprofit theaters, art galleries, restaurants, bookstores, retail businesses and large festivals like Folk Festival and WinterFest," says Lowell Mayor Daniel P. Rourke, "The Cultural District Program is a huge asset to the City of Lowell, and we are grateful for Mass Cultural Council's continued investment in our city."
“As the Executive Artistic Director of Merrimack Repertory Theatre, I am deeply gratified by the continued support for Lowell's Canalway Cultural District through the Mass Cultural Council,” said Courtney Sale, Executive Artistic Director, Merrimack Repertory Theatre. “This vital investment allows the arts to flourish, nurtures local talent and reinforces the cultural fabric that defines our community. MRT is honored to contribute to Lowell's evolving cultural landscape, and we look forward to the continued advancement of our city's artistic and civic vitality.”
“The Cultural District Initiative has been truly transformational for our community in Haverhill,” said Erin Padilla, Director, Creative Haverhill. “Thanks to this program our creative community has come together to develop events like the Haverhill Art Walk festivals within Haverhill’s Riverfront Cultural District. These events support our local artists, businesses, restaurants, and district as a whole. Without the Cultural Districts Initiative, our community wouldn’t have the capacity or the funding for these integral programs. Thanks to these programs community connectivity and pride have grown and our local artists and businesses are thriving!”
Mass Cultural Council was also joined by State Reps. Rodney Elliott (D- Lowell) and Tara Hong (D- Lowell), Lowell Vice Mayor Paul Ratha Yem, and staff of State Sen. Ed. Kennedy (D- Lowell) to celebrate these awards.
“Today we celebrate a significant investment in our community’s cultural heritage,” said Rep. Elliott. “The grant funding will empower our state-designated cultural districts to thrive, ensuring that the history and vibrant arts of Lowell continue to flourish for generations to come.”
“This grant awarded by Mass Cultural Council provides an exciting opportunity for the City of Lowell to continue in invest in the Canalway Cultural District, stimulating economic growth and supporting the arts and culture community,” said Rep. Hong.
Since its inception nearly 15 years ago, the Agency’s governing Council has approved 58 cultural districts in communities of all sizes across the state. Most recently, three new cultural districts were designated in Holyoke, Watertown, and Westfield in November.
Last year (FY24), saw the continued success of the program as the cultural districts reported on their economic impact, including:
- 1.7 million total visitors to cultural district events
- Approximately 240 new businesses or organizations opened their doors within a cultural district
Applications for new cultural district designations are not being accepted at this time; the program is under review by Mass Cultural Council staff and partners. The redesigned program is expected to be launched in Fiscal Year 2026.
