The Town of Barnstable recognizes arts and culture as key economic drivers
that contribute to the vibrancy of the area and provide an important backdrop
and enriching experiences year round for residents and visitors. Each of the
seven villages features art, culture and historic gems, all with seaside charm.
Two of the villages, Hyannis and Barnstable Village have state designated
cultural districts. The Hyannis HyArts Cultural District, the first state
designated cultural district on Cape Cod and Barnstable Village focus the town
and community partners on the common goals to attract artists, cultural and
creative enterprises; encourage business and job retention and creation; further
establish the district as a tourist destination; preserve and reuse historic
buildings; enhance property values; and foster local cultural development.
The Hyannis HyArts Cultural District in downtown Hyannis is home to
local artists with seaside shanties, year round artist studios and galleries,
free events all yearincluding theater and musical performances alongside Hyannis
Harbor, art walks, open studios, art festivals and much more. These initiatives
are key components to the success of the revitalization of downtown Hyannis and
have stimulated collateral private development on Pearl and North Streets. It
has become a live/work/play area for residents and a true destination for
visitors.
The success of the HyArts District is rooted in a series of
arts related strategies which enlivened the economic climate in downtown Hyannis
by investing time and resources into underutilized areas, establishing an
economic cluster as an important backdrop for year round residents and visitors.
The Town and several local and regional organizations, including the Hyannis
Main Street Business Improvement District (BID), the Hyannis Area Chamber of
Commerce (HACC), the Cape Cod Art Association (CCAA) and the Arts Foundation of
Cape Cod (AFCC) and in consultation with the Cape Cod Chamber, continue to work
cooperatively to provide resources to the arts community while fostering
economic growth and establishing Hyannis as a regional center for creative and
performing arts.
In 2005, seven artist shanties were constructed on
the harbor front. These shanties offer local artists an affordable location to
create and sell their work. The artists receive marketing support from the
Harbor Your Arts program.
The rehabilitation of an underutilized
grassy area into an outdoor performing arts center was completed in 2006 and
includes an award winning public art installation named, “Buoyed Coasts”. The
area now provides a venue for ongoing entertainment along the harbor and affords
tremendous exposure for local musicians and actors. Bordering the performing
arts venue on Pleasant Street is a town-owned and maintained park. Pleasant
Street Park provides easy access to the state run ferries and has helped to
increase foot traffic by extending the Walkway to the Sea from the harbor front
to Main Street. Over two million people use the Walkway each year drawing
thousands of travelers from the ferries to the shops and restaurants along Main
Street.
In 2007, two homes were purchased on Pearl Street, which is
adjacent to Main Street, and renovated by the Town into artist live/work and
shared studio/gallery space. These properties encompass the backbone of the
downtown arts district, which also consist of private enterprises such as a
gelato shop and local charter high school.
On the same arts
campus as the Pearl Street properties is the Guyer Barn, a showcase for emerging
and established artists. It is a year round community art space, working artist
studio and professional artist gallery supporting and promoting the arts through
exhibits, education and performances.
In May of 2012, the HyAnnis
HyArts Cultural District received its official state designation from the
Massachusetts Cultural Council. It is the first cultural district designated on
Cape Cod and was, at the time, the seventh in the state to be named. The
concentration of cultural, economic and historic resources coupled with a strong
community commitment to further enhance the vitality of the area, met all
criteria for the state designation. The District includes Main Street Hyannis
and the harbor front area. The www.hyartsdistrict.com website and facebook page
promote the district.
A strong creative economy provides the
opportunity to capitalize upon regional dollars with an area unified and
transformed into a distinct arts destination. This cultural district continues
to increase the value of the arts in the community through the cultivation of
diverse new audiences and keeps consumers coming back throughout the year. In
March of 2014, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Board of Directors voted
unanimously to designate Barnstable Village as a Cultural District. It is the
second district within the town of Barnstable, (only the second town in the
state to have two districts) . It was the fourth on Cape Cod and the 20th in the
state to be designated. This designation helps to enhance and grow the already
successful arts and culture programs and events in Barnstable Village as well as
in collaboration with the Hyannis HyArts Cultural District.
The Town
of Barnstable has a long-established commitment to making arts and culture an
important facet of the town’s economic development strategy as the Arts are
often undervalued for the contribution they play in a stable, well educated,
vibrant community. The benefits of state designation are numerous. In addition
to state wide and national marketing opportunities, the Hyannis HyArts Cultural
District and the Barnstable Village Cultural District work with the MCC and
community partners to further develop current arts related economic development
strategies, including encouraging business, job growth and expanding tourism.
There are smaller but equally as vibrant arts communities in each of
the seven villages of the Town of Barnstable. The town is home to the Cape Cod
Symphony, Cape Cod Conservatory, and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. Numerous
museums, theaters, performance spaces, historical societies and places of
historical significance are plentiful in the seven villages. Knitting together
the arts and cultural assets among all seven towns remains a top priority within
the town’s economic development agenda.
Website:
www.artsbarnstable.com;
www.hyartsdistrict.com;
Facebook: Arts Barnstable, HyArts District, Barnstable Village Cultural District
Instagram: @artsBarnstable
Contact:
Melissa Chartrand