Iowa Arts News is a monthly publication of the Iowa Arts Council. If you would like to subscribe, please send us a blank e-mail.
DCA announces 9 Cultural and Entertainment Districts
The
Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs has certified nine Cultural
and Entertainment Districts across the state in the second year of an initiative
that boosts economic development through arts, history and culture.
The newly certified districts are in Ames, Des Moines, Fairfield, Keokuk, Marion, Mason City and Waterloo.
A CED is a well-recognized, mixed-use area of a city anchored by a high concentration of cultural attractions. The initiative encourages city and county governments to partner with local nonprofit or for-profit organizations, businesses and individuals to enhance the quality of life for the people of Iowa. Benefits available to each CED could include tax credits for rehabilitation of historic structures and other incentives that create living and work space for cultural workers, cultural and entertainment enterprises, and access to financial assistance programs from state agencies and other funding partners.
“Cultural districts are where you find people living, working and playing, where performance venues, museums, galleries, artist studios, art galleries, book stores, dance studios, libraries, learning centers, schools, arboretums and gardens are located,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker said. “They are places where you find services such as graphic design studios and architectural firms, and it’s where you find retail businesses like wine stores, bakeries, gourmet food stores and more.
“These are the areas that can revitalize a community and strengthen its connection with the arts and other cultures and ethnicities. They broaden our understanding of the world around us and they grow our economy by helping small businesses create jobs that appeal to highly-educated cultural workers.”
Iowa is the second state in the country to implement a plan to certify cultural districts. Last year, DCA certified 10 districts in eight communities: Cedar Falls, Charles City, Cherokee, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Muscatine and Spencer.
Waterloo – The Downtown Waterloo Cultural Entertainment District
The core of the Downtown Waterloo Cultural and Entertainment District has been
in existence since 1998. Known as Waterloo’s Cultural Crossroads, it celebrates,
promotes and enhances the cultural heritage of the community in the heart of Waterloo.
Mason City – Mason City Downtown Cultural and Entertainment District
The area offers a number of cultural programs (fairs, farmer’s markets,
wine tasting and art/puppetry camps for kids) and venues (Charles H. MacNider
Art Museum, Music Man Square/Meredith Willson Museum, Meredith Willson Boyhood
Home, State Street Gallery). Historic preservation efforts have included the rehabilitation
of the Park Inn Hotel, and the Downtown Historic District is on the National Register
of Historic Places.
Ames – Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District
The Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District is home to a variety of cultural
anchors including the Octagon Center for the Arts, City Auditorium, Central Iowa
Symphony and the Ames Public Library.
Des Moines – Historic East Village Cultural and Entertainment
District
Located on the east side of the Des Moines River, the Historic East Village is
one of Des Moines’ original commerce areas, and it encompasses some of Des
Moines’ most significant buildings including the State Capitol, the State
Historical Building and numerous structures on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Des Moines – Court Avenue Cultural and Entertainment District
Dating back to 1846, the Court Avenue area has been home to Des Moines’
first 2-story house, the first public school, the first post office, the first
bank and the first bridge across the Des Moines River at Court Avenue. Today,
the district is full of historic buildings and shops that house popular restaurants,
clubs and an assortment of rapidly growing residential spaces.
Des Moines – Roosevelt Cultural and Entertainment District
Located at the hub of five neighborhood associations, the Roosevelt CED is a compact
community of small businesses, schools and cultural attractions. The district
plans to have Roosevelt High School students create a web site — for class
credit — that will be an interactive link to the neighborhood associations,
businesses, schools and the Des Moines Playhouse.
Marion – Marion Cultural and Entertainment District
This district lies in the heart of Marion and has been the site of an eclectic
range of cultural activities and opportunities for many years. CED certification
will serve as the focal point for ongoing preservation and development of the
area’s cultural attractions. The district will link downtown Marion with
other entertainment and cultural areas in Eastern Iowa, including the Cultural
Corridor between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
Fairfield – Fairfield Cultural and Entertainment District
With more than 300 artists and 20 art galleries, Fairfield offers residents and
visitors a large variety of cultural opportunities. Local leaders will use the
CED certification to create greater collaboration among local cultural organizations
and increase recognition of its robust art, music and theater scene.
Keokuk – Keokuk Cultural and Entertainment District
Keokuk’s predominantly Victorian-era architecture includes houses once called
“home” by Howard Hughes, Roger Maris and Samuel Clemens. Cultural
features found within the district include Hubinger Landing, campgrounds, and
Rollin’ on the River blues festival in Victory Park, which is also home
to the George M. Verity riverboat museum.
More information on Cultural and Entertainment Districts Program »
