City Arts District Gets a Boost from Public

By Desiree Parker Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Tuesday evening set high the interest level in an arts district in Williamsburg, with one area rising to the top of possible locations.

Williamsburg Economic Development Authority Chairman Monty Mason is pretty excited about how the meeting went. “I’m really pleased with the turnout and discussion,” he says. “It was a good crowd, made up of a broad group of people including artists, students and city leaders."

More than 120 people showed up to hear what nonprofit arts development group ArtSpace had to say.

People seemed really interested in the group’s presentation and a lively discussion ensued. “People talked about the need for arts venues, for art retail space, space for artists to congregate and sell their work, and affordable housing for artists,” says Michele DeWitt, the city’s economic development director. “I was particularly impressed by the turnout and enthusiasm of young people.”

“There seemed to be tremendous interest in doing something to enhance the arts,” says Mayor Jeanne Zeidler, also pleased by the big turnout for an idea that started to gel late last year. “People understand how much this means to quality of life and economic development.”

ArtSpace representatives are in intensive touring and discussion mode while they visit the city this week. Although they’re looking at each of the locations in the city that have been identified as possibilities for an arts district (see the city’s Web site for details on the different areas being examined), an area along Lafayette Street and Richmond Road between Casey Field and the new Walgreens has made it to the top of the list, it seems.

Some of the reasons this area stands out, according to DeWitt, are that it has zoning for living and work space already and functions as a mixed use area; it’s near shopping, dining, and transit stops; it’s within walking distance of downtown; it has commercial vacancies and it has some affordable housing.

ArtSpace has been involved in a number of arts district projects in other areas, but this project is turning out to be unique because Williamsburg doesn’t have any old factories, theaters or other large spaces that could be refurbished to make living and working spaces for artists, which is what ArtSpace typically looks for.

“They’re looking at what we have right now, and listening to community input from various groups,” Mason says. The tough part will be using what locations are available in Williamsburg that might make a good space for a centralized art area. The area at the top of the list has a number of old homes altered for business use, as well as the former Tioga Motel lot owned by the city and other residences.

After they’ve finished the few days of intensive study, the group will use the information to help flesh out the rest of their report for the city.

“We’ve learned that there are no cookie-cutter arts districts,” Zeidler says. “It really depends on the strengths and character of the community.”

An arts district can be a real boon for a city, according to Mason, because it can help draw tourists and encourage artists to sell their art and give them a place to work.

“This [proposed arts district] is a great opportunity, and likely a great cultural fit with our community,” he says. “ArtSpace will ask questions like, what can we do for artists here, what can attract arts businesses, and what is the effect on tourism and the economy? These are the things were looking for.”

To share your thoughts on the possibility of an arts district in the city, visit the city’s Web site by clicking here.