Establishing Cultural Districts in Connecticut

Connecticut Cultural Districts OVERVIEW

Cultural Districts Cultural Districts Legislative Statute Legislative Statute Cultural Districts (Legislative Statute- An Act Concerning the Establishment of Municipal Cultural Districts effective October 2019)

CULTURAL DISTRICT CULTURAL DISTRICT DEFINITION DEFINITION A Cultural District is a specific area of a city or town identified by the municipality that has a number of cultural facilities, activities and/or assets both for profit and nonprofit. It is A walkable, compact area that is easy for visitors to recognize. A center of cultural activities artistic and economic. A place in your city/town where community members congregate, and visitors may enjoy those places that make a community special.

REASONS TO ESTABLISH A CULTURAL DISTRICT REASONS TO ESTABLISH A CULTURAL DISTRICT Market Market arts and culture attractions to visitors Promote Promote and encourage artists, entrepreneurs and creative businesses Tourism Promote tourism and increase visitation Quality of Life Improve the quality of life for residents Strengthen Strengthen distinctive character of communities Economic Growth Create a plan to drive economic growth and expand tax base Sustainable CT Support Support Sustainable CT certification https://sustainablect.org/actions-certifications/ Contribute Contribute to Connecticut s cultural assets Highlight Highlight culture and history of your community

STANDARDS AND CRITERIA STANDARDS AND CRITERIA The Cultural District must meet the requirements of Cultural District definition. The municipality must vote to approve Cultural District. The municipality must be in Connecticut. The Cultural District must have defined boundaries. The municipality must hold at least one community input meeting in order for people to learn about the proposed Cultural District and goals. The Cultural District must have cultural facilities and assets. The Cultural District should have public infrastructure and amenities. The Cultural District must be walkable and accessible. The municipality must pass a resolution following the community input meeting/s. The municipality must form a Cultural District Commission. More standards & criteria on next slide.

STANDARDS AND CRITERIA STANDARDS AND CRITERIA continued continued Cultural Districts that span more than one town/city, both municipalities must have a supporting resolution Municipalities that have more than one cultural district, one resolution is enough. An inventory of cultural assets must be identified and included on a map.

CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION 1 2 3 Create new Board/Commission in accordance with local charter requirements. Assign to an existing Board/Commission and create an Advisory Council subcommittee reporting to the existing Board/Commission. Assign Cultural District oversight to an existing Board/Commission, if the Board or Commission can meet the community representation requirement.

BASIC PROCESS BASIC PROCESS 1) Determine Municipal Readiness 2) Form a Municipal Cultural District 3) Apply to become a state-recognized Cultural District More information at end of webinar

Duties and Procedures THE CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVEL THE CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVEL OPING A MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT WITH IMPLEMENTATION. MANAGEMENT PLAN AND PROVIDE OVERSIGHT WITH IMPLEMENTATION. OPING A THE CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION SHOULD CONVENE ON A REGULAR BAS THE CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION SHOULD CONVENE ON A REGULAR BAS IS AND OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MUNICIPALITY S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE. OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH MUNICIPALITY S GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE. IS AND

Duties and Procedures continued THE CULTURAL DISTRICT COMMISSION MUST DEVELOP: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES A MANAGEMENT PLAN A CULTURAL ASSETS MAP AND INVENTORY A MARKETING PLAN* GOALS AND SUCCESS MEASURES FOR THE DISTRICT

APPLICATION TO BECOME A STATE APPLICATION TO BECOME A STATE- -RECOGNIZED CULTURAL DISTRICT PROCESS CULTURAL DISTRICT PROCESS RECOGNIZED

SUBMIT (ELECTRONICALLY) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO YOUR DESIGNAT SUBMIT (ELECTRONICALLY) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO YOUR DESIGNAT ED REGIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR REVIEW: ED REGIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR REVIEW: L E TTE R O F E N D O R S E M EN T F R O M C H I E F E L E C TE D O F F I C I A L C O P Y O F R E S O L U TI O N F R O M TH E C I TY C O U N C I L / B O A R D O F S E L E C TM E N ( S E E S A M P L E R E S O L U TI O N ) M A S TE R M A P : P L E A S E P R O V I D E A M A P O F TH E C U L TU R A L D I S TR I C T L I S T O F C U L TU R A L A S S E TS , I N C L U D I N G C U L TU R A L E V E N TS H E L D A T L O C A T I O N S W I TH I N TH E P R O P O S E D C U L TU R A L D I S TR I C T L I S T O F A V A I L A B L E M U N I C I P A L R E S O U R C E S TH A T W O U L D S U P P O R T A N D / O R B E N E F I T C U L TU R A L D I S TR I C T ( E X . TA X C R E D I T, I N C E N TI V E S , E TC . ) O F F I C I A L L E GA L D O C U M E N TS O N Z O N I N G O V E R L A P S O R O R D I N A N C E S R E L E V A N T TO TH E C U L TU R A L D I S TR I C T, S U C H A S E X I S TI N G A R TS O R H I S TO R I C D I S TR I C T ( I F A P P L I C A B L E ) M A R K E TI N G M A TE R I A L S , I F R E L E V A N T TO TH E CUL TUR A L D I S TR I CT S U P P O R TI N G S E C TI O N / R E F E R E N C E I N M U N I C I P A L P L A N O F C O N S E R V A TI O N A N D D E V E L O P M EN T ( P O C D ) A N D E X P L A I N H O W TH E C U L TU R A L D I S TR I C T R E L A TE S TO TH E P O C D S GO A L S A N D H O W TH E C U L TU R A L D I S TR I C T S TA TE D E S I GN A TI O N A F F E C TS H O W TH O S E GO A L S W I L L B E A C C O M P L I S H E D N O TE : D R S O W I L L F O R W A R D D O C U M E N TS TO C T O F F I C E O F TH E A R TS To apply to become a state-recognized Cultural District

MAPPING MAPPING The map should show the boundaries of the proposed Cultural District and where the district is in the municipality (color maps are best). The map should include the following: Cultural facilities Artistic spaces Creative businesses Historic sites Locations of cultural activities

STATE DESIGNATED CURRENT STATUS RIDGEFIELD ESTABLISHED 2021 TORRINGTON ESTABLISHED 2022 NEW LONDON ESTABLISHED 2022 WETHERSFIELD ESTABLISHED 2022 BRISTOL ESTABLISHED 2022