Live reporting: Cultural Council presentation

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS
– Allan Mercer – Cultural District

Last fall during the visit with Anita Walker, Executive Director of MA Cultural Council had mentioned this would be a good opportunity to become a cultural district.

Attract business and tourists...
steering committee formed in March
continuing to work on application
identified 40 organizations to be stakeholders, likely more to be added

will look to form a 501(c)3
will be looking to fund raise
there is no connection between this group and the campaign around the Emmons St building

instead of a single organization like FSPA, there is power with the greater numbers

2015 envisioned a week long celebration of the arts to be held downtown
there is a lot of work left to do
here tonight to inform you and to ask of your assistance as we go forward

Bissanti - I appluad you for taking this forward
Jones - I think this is a great idea, a no-brainer. Are there additional benefits offered by the State?

Mercer - initially no, but once we are operating and running programs, there are additional funding available for programs.

Kelly - I'd love to see this happen. I would also like to see the district expand, there are lots of old houses that might be able to take advantage of this