PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Creative District Subcommittee seeks public input on the development of the district’s Arts and Culture plan during meetings this week.
This strategic framework will provide a three- to five-year blueprint for the district to support Port Townsend’s creative economy, according to Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
There are two meeting options to accommodate different schedules.
The first will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Cotton Building, 607 Water St. The second will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Fort Worden Commons, 210 Battery Way.
Each meeting will be followed by time to network with fellow artists and community members.
RSVPs are encouraged but not required; send to ptcreativedistrict@gmail.com and indicate if you will attend Wednesday or Thursday.
Light refreshments will be provided. AdvisArts Consulting of Seattle and Port Townsend is assisting with the development of the Arts and Culture Plan, which is funded by the City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), Mullen said in a press release.
“At these convenings, we want to hear from our creative community, our artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs,” said Owen Rowe, a member of Port Townsend City Council who serves on the Creative District Subcommittee.
“What painters, actors, musicians, poets, craftspeople, chefs and others tell us will help shape our plan for providing that community-wide level of coordination and support.”
The Creative District Subcommittee is comprised of local artists, business owners and community members and is working with representatives of Port Townsend’s creative sectors to develop the plan.
The Creative District in Port Townsend focuses its efforts on five arts disciplines: visual, literary, performing, culinary and makers arts.
The district includes downtown, uptown and the historic campus of Fort Worden.
“The Creative District goals include connecting audiences with artists and supporting our local creative economy year-round,” Mullen said.
The Port Townsend Creative District received its designation as the eighth creative district in Washington state by the Washington State Arts Commission in 2020 and is under the auspices of the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Since its inception, the Creative District subcommittee has completed two infrastructure projects — the Tyler Street Plaza Lighting Enhancement Project and the Creative District Art Marker and Wayfinding Project, designating the areas of the Creative District.
It has also been instrumental in the reinvention of Soundcheck, a multi-disciplinary arts festival that showcases local artists and supports Creative District efforts. Work also includes the development of the Artists’ Directory, a resource to be launched this fall.
The Port Townsend Creative District is a collaboration with the Port Townsend Main Street Program and the founding partner organizations — Centrum, Port Townsend Public Library, Northwind Art, KPTZ Radio Port Townsend, Key City Public Theatre, Fort Worden Public Development Authority and the City of Port Townsend.
For more information about the Port Townsend Creative District and additional details about meetings, see Ptcreativedistrict.org.
