Cultural District Program Adds Three
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Arts Commission has approved three more communities as part of its Statewide Cultural District Designation Program. The commission says the districts are well-recognized, mixed-use areas of communities "in which high concentrations of cultural assets serve as the anchor."
The Nickel Plate District in Fishers, the Terre Haute Arts & Cultural District, and the NoCo Arts & Cultural District in Jeffersonville are now recognized for their cultural assets. The entities applied for the designation earlier this year.
IAC Executive Director Lewis Ricci says the designation "enables a community to enhance the visibility of its creative and economic prosperity." He adds it can be especially important for smaller, rural communities that are looking to showcase their quality of life and use the arts as an driver for economic and community growth.
The Fishers designation includes public art in the Nickel Plate District and the renovated Nickel Plate District Amphitheater. Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath calls the designation an exciting moment for the community. "This designation signifies not only our commitment to advancing arts and culture in Fishers, but is also recognition of the vibrancy and cultural significance of the Nickel Plate District."
Terre Haute organizations participating include Art Spaces Inc., Arts Illiana, Indiana State University and the Swope Art Museum. Mayor Duke Bennett said, "Quality of place has been an important pillar of this administration’s plan for the future. We’re so pleased that the State recognition of the arts and culture district can further communicate what a great place Terre Haute is to live."
The IAC says the designation program brings benefits, such as increased tourism marketing and economic activities. Previously named communities to receive the designation include Bloomington, Carmel, Columbus, Madison, Nashville, Noblesville and Tippecanoe County.