AMHERST – Amherst has its first cultural district, a state designation that will help the town promote arts and encourage economic development.
The designation for the Amherst Center Cultural District came following a vote by the Massachusetts Cultural Council board May 17 and an announcement at the 2016 Massachusetts Cultural District meeting in Northampton Monday.
The Amherst district is one of 34 state-designated cultural districts in Massachusetts, which already include those in Northampton and Easthampton.
Rene Theberge, chairman of the Amherst Public Art Commission, said Wednesday that he is pleased with the designation, which is envisioned as a walkable, focal zone of the downtown experience.
“The district will promote interrelationships among the many cultural activities downtown and build on the synergy created by sharing common goals and a common cultural vision,” Theberge said.
The district map was amended slightly by the state officials, cutting off the northern end of the proposed district at the edge of Kendrick Park.
The district includes the Emily Dickinson Museum, Jones Library, Amherst Cinema, Amherst History Museum, and the edge of the Amherst College campus where the Mead Art Museum is located.
With the designation, Amherst can access state resources, including statewide and national marketing opportunities, programs for developing cultural economic development strategies, and cultural facilities planning and construction. New signs showing the boundaries of the district will be installed.
The successful application was submitted by the Amherst Center Cultural District Steering Committee. The district will be managed by the Amherst Business Improvement District.
Anita Walker, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, said in a statement that she welcomes the Amherst district.
“From major literary and arts sites to unique bookstores, shops and restaurants, the new Amherst Center Cultural District will solidify this community as a top arts destination for visitors near and far,” Walker said.
Another statement was issued by State Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg, D-Amherst.
“Designating the Amherst Center Cultural District as a Massachusetts Cultural District will help ensure the long-term artistic, cultural, and economic vitality of Amherst,” Rosenberg said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
