The Washington State Arts Commission has recertified Olympia's Creative District, marking the city's commitment to further support the local creative community in the next five years.
Olympia Arts Program Manager Stephanie Johnson announced the recertification for Creative District designation at the city's Arts Commission meeting on Thursday, July 11. She said it is now a subject for councilmanic.
Since its inception in 2019, the district has been home to over 150 creative industries, 25 makers and fabricators, and 10 performance and event spaces within a 30-block area downtown.
At the Arts Commission meeting, Johnson delivered a presentation originally given by Economic Development Senior Program Specialist Daisha Versaw to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee in April.
The presentation provided an update on the Creative District, highlighting its achievements, current initiatives, and plans.
The plan focuses on building community, supporting artists, promoting local talent, and ensuring equitable accessibility. A key initiative has been the partnership with the Olympia Art Space Alliance, which has taken on a larger role in managing the district's programs.
Recent projects highlight the district's impact, including a Parking and Business Improvement Area-funded mural project that added three new murals and restored ten existing ones.
An indie music history project has also documented the city's rich musical heritage. The project yielded 25 oral history recordings featuring 30 individuals connected to Olympia's music scene and the identification of 75 historically significant locations in the local music landscape.
Phase 2 of the Olympia indie music history project is underway, focusing on making the collected information accessible to a wider audience. The team plans to transform their extensive research, including oral histories, historical locations, timelines, and the comprehensive resource guide, into a user-friendly website, which will serve as a public resource.
Looking ahead, the district plans to activate more spaces, such as the proposed Artesian Light Market. With $85,000 in combined funding from economic development projects and the Washington Arts Commission, the district aims to transform vacant areas into vibrant, welcoming spaces for creativity.
As Olympia's Creative District enters its next five years, Versaw said it continues to prioritize anti-racism and inclusivity, aiming to build a more equitable arts community that reflects the diversity of the city.
Johnson described the Creative District as one of the three legs of the chair in Olympia's arts ecosystem.
She explained that the Creative District represents the economic component. The second leg is the Armory, which serves as a workforce development component, allowing artists to create business plans. Johnson emphasized the importance of a smooth transition between learning and practical application, such as having pop-ups or venues for artists to develop their skills.
The third leg, according to Johnson, is Inspire Olympia, which provides funding for nonprofits that employ artists to offer art services to underserved community members.
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Mugwump
I'm all for The Arts. Can somebody show me a map of the "Creative District" or can we assume that they're including the entire downtown area (which in and of itself doesn't comprise 30 blocks)?
Sunday, July 14 Report this
Southsoundguy
What a waste of money.
Monday, July 15 Report this