Leveraging Cultural Assets for Economic Development - Cape Cod ...

usiness owners ,and the Convention and Visitors Bureau to leverage arts and culturein making downtown Fort Lauderdale a premier urban community. Visit www.riverwalkartsanden tertainment.com for more information.The Sourcebook of Architectural and Design Elements Handcrafted on CapeCod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket – In 2008, the Cape Cod Chamber, Cape andIslands Community Development, and new collaborators including the HomebuildersAssociation of Cape Cod embarked on a new project to create an economic shift in theregion toward using unique, locally created, handcrafted architectural and design elementsin new or renovated homes and establishments, through creating a sourcebookfor architects, builders, and designers. This grew from their work over the last fiveyears to increase markets and income for Cape Cod artists, by creating the arts trailpublication. The trails ultimately brought over 500 artists in studios and galleries intoa cohesive cultural tourism marketing effort. In the course of the trails project, theylearned about the needs of our artistic community from a business growth perspective,their ideas about potential new markets and their reactions on how an establishedproject in North Carolina might apply to our region. They provided technical businessassistance and structured connections to our tourism sector. By listening to and involvingthe artists, technical assistance is provided where needed, studying existing andpotential markets through research, data collection, and focus groups, producing highquality publications, and are now poised to marketing the sourcebook in similar strategiesto the trails: events, articles, online sales, and outreach to specific markets. TheSourcebook of Architectural and Design Elements Handcrafted on Cape Cod, Martha’sVineyard, and Nantucket will be published in winter/spring 2010.Storefront Artists Project: Pittsfield, MA – The Storefront Artists Project (SAP) wasinitiated in late 2003 to address the problem of storefront vacancies in downtown Pittsfield,and to provide working and exhibition space for local artists. The project workswith more than 30 artists to help with exhibitions, gaining access to new markets, andconnecting artists with the arts education programs in the region’s public schools. Theproject, according to most observers, was a key catalyst in jump-starting the revitalizationof downtown Pittsfield. Visit www.pittsfield-ma.org for more information.Third Thursdays: Lynn, MA – Third Thursdays in Lynn’s Central Square is a programaimed at highlighting the rich cultural and business resources of downtown Lynn. Theproject encourages community revitalization through music, children’s activities, andgallery exhibitions, as well as extended hours at local stores and restaurants on the thirdweek of each month to increase pedestrian traffic and commerce in Lynn’s business andarts district. Visit www.thirdthursdayslynn.com for more information.Village of the Arts: Bradenton, FL – A rough section of town formerly known forcrack houses and prostitutes was transformed into the “Village of the Arts,” a funkycollection of more than 35 galleries, studios, cafés, and shops. The process began asa grassroots attempt by local artists to reclaim the neighborhood, and later expandedto include area schools, businesses, and social groups. A decade later, Bradenton hasA Practical Guide for Municipal Investment in Arts & Culture on Cape Cod Leveraging Cultural Assets 39