New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 20209Culture and CreativityOverviewThroughout our history, New Bedford has always maintained avibrant creative community. During the 19 th century, when thewhaling industry fueled New Bedford’s economy, acclaimedartists, such as William Bradford, Albert Pinkham Ryder,Clifford Ashley, and Albert Bierstadt lived and worked in thiscosmopolitan seaport.Today, New Bedford is emerging as the arts and cultural centerof southeastern Massachusetts, boasting a wide array ofattractions and diverse venues that showcase the history, art, andcultural fabric, and is home to hundreds of artists andperformers who contribute to our distinctive identity.The critical mass of artists, performers, galleries, and culturalinstitutions that flourish in New Bedford have created theambience of a vibrant coastal cultural center. Understanding thefuture potential of this sector—how we can include the peopleand businesses as an essential component of the futuredevelopment, how we can help promote this sector’s growth,and how we can measure its impact—is vital to our strategy foreconomic development as well as to the quality of life ofeveryone living in and visiting our city.Credit: John RobsonThroughout the civic engagement process, creative sector stakeholders voiced their views about the role of art,culture, and tourism in the City’s economic development strategies and planning processes. The participantsrecognized that New Bedford has a thriving arts community, a high level of social and historical capital, awardwinningcultural institutions and tourist destinations, and strong post-secondary arts education resources.Specific recommendations to bolster the growth of cultural offerings include:> Streamline municipal services for creative enterprises, including permits and zoning;> Improve linkages and communication tools among the City and artists;> Create cultural districts in the city;> Engage artists in the design of public space;> Increase arts education at the K–12 levels; and> Form a City Arts and Culture Council.Culture and Creativity9-1