The meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the La Conner Swinomish Library and is open to all.
The Washington State Arts Commission is a program that helps culturally and artistically rich communities attract visitors and boost their economy. Once a community earns the creative district certification, they are provided with a $10,000 startup operating grant, up to $50,000 to pay for small capital projects, technical assistance and other resources, according to ArtsWA.
Some outcomes resulting from these boosts may look like new opportunities for affordable housing, more jobs and more creatives joining the community, according to ArtsWA.
Earning the creative district designation has been one of the art commission’s priorities for some time, said Chair Holly Redell Witte, who is confident La Conner is the poster child of creative districts. She added that there are opportunities for collaboration with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, whose artists have shaped La Conner’s identity.
“The arts and culture are so entwined in what this town is. It should have been the first creative district,” she laughed.
Redell Witte said the event will include a presentation on how the state program would benefit the town and a time for attendees to share their thoughts and ask questions that will be used in the application process. Participants may also share feedback on some possible ideas for a project, which may include plein air painting on the boardwalk, marking the buildings where the Mystic Painters created their pieces, geocaching and more.
After the presentation, the commission will ask attendees if they are interested in potentially joining an advisory committee that would be tasked with working on the application and developing a strategic plan for the next five years, Redell Witte said, adding that the application would be submitted in September.
The advisory committee will convene for the first time on Feb. 10.
“It’s such a wonderful place and we want to share it with the world and we want artists to know that in this technological age, creating things matters,” Redell Witte said. “We value our artists, we value our creatives, we value our creative economy.”
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
