The creation of state-sponsored cultural districts is included in bills designed to advance economic development in Massachusetts that have been passed by both houses of the state legislature. But we're a ways from seeing them become law - the House and Senate have to iron out a compromise bill, and it has to be sufficiently palatable for Gov. Deval Patrick to sign it. Even if he does, it's not yet clear what the actual criteria and benefits of such a designation will be. Still, there's a lot of promise here. And it's a rare bit of good news amid draconian budget cuts.
According to text passed along by the Mass. Cultural Council, the House bill puts it thusly: "A cultural and creative district shall be a well recognized, labeled, mixed-use, compact area of a city or town in which a high concentration of cultural and creative facilities serves as an anchor. The goals of a cultural and creative district shall include attracting artists and creative enterprises to a community, encouraging business and job development, establishing tourist destinations, preserving and reusing historic buildings, enhancing property values and fostering local cultural and economic development. A city or town may create and designate a cultural and creative district subject to certification by the Council. The Council shall develop a certification program to prepare a city or town to become home to a state designated cultural and creative district by creating an application process and developing qualifying criteria and guidelines."
Seems like a noble goal. I'm all for building the creative economy, which tends to get knocked as piffle by fiscal conservatives who don't want to acknowledge its huge economic impact. But what exactly does a certified creative district get? Even if this bill passes by end of session July 31, the answer for now is, uh, respect. The House text: The Council shall in cooperation with the executive branch, constitutional offices, quasi governmental agencies and the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural development identify additional and existing state incentives and resources that will enhance state designated cultural and creative districts and shall report their findings together with drafts of legislation as may be necessary to carry its recommendations into effect..." That report is to be made by Dec. 1.
Incentives and resources that could be used include tax breaks, historic tax credits, grants and incorporation into current cultural grant programs. It will also be a really nice thing to put on signs and hang around the 'hood.
Have to say I'm less convinced of the need for another provision the cultural community is backing in the same bill, which would also establish a commission (OH BOY ANOTHER COMMISSION!) to study how schools foster student creativity. The commission would develop the Creative Challenge Index to “rate every public school in the Commonwealth on teaching, encouraging, and fostering creativity in students.” I'm sensing a big fat target for Howie Carr, no?
We'll keep you posted.
How about things sold in the creative space are exempt from state sales tax?
Posted by: Eric | July 09, 2010 at 10:09 PM