Annette Roth, ArtsWA Creative Districts Manager.
Preparing to launch ArtsWA's new Creative District Program

Meet ArtsWA's newest staff member, Annette Roth, whose job is to oversee the development and implementation of the Washington's Certified Creative Districts program. Annette has been on the job since October 2017 and has been busy researching and planning for the foundation of the program, writing administrative rules and regulations, and talking with colleagues across the nation who have implemented similar programs. 

The Certified Creative District Program was passed by the Legislature in 2017 and signed into law by Governor Inslee in May 2017. It gives ArtsWA the authority to grant creative district certification to jurisdictions and government entities to be used as a tool to revitalize their communities around cultural assets. 

"We're thankful to Rep. Joan McBride for introducing the bill two years ago and then again last session," said ArtsWA Executive Director Karen Hanan. Senator Hans Zeiger sponsored the companion bill in the Senate. Both bills garnered major bi-partisan support.

"The Creative Districts program represents a unique tool for economic developers," said Michael Cade, Executive Director of the Thurston Economic Development Council. Cade was among the program's early supporters when it was first introduced in 2017.

"My organization recognizes that one of the most critical things that a practitioner of economic development can do is to drive new dollars and opportunities into a region, thus ensuring a vibrant local economy that will support its residents and businesses," he said. 

Hanan said many communities are interested in a Creative Districts state certification because they see the benefits of using cultural assets as part of their community revitalization plans.

ArtsWA is preparing to launch the new Creative Districts program at the beginning of the New Year.

Distortions Unlimited is a creative industry business located in the Greeley, Colorado Creative District. The business designs and manufactures alien props for the motion picture industry.
Colorado Creative Districts fact finding trip

In a recent fact-finding trip to Colorado, Roth and Hanan toured several of Colorado's certified creative districts. Hosted by ArtsWA's counterpart, Colorado Creative Industries, they toured several creative districts and talked to businesses and organizations about the certification process and its impact. Washington's program is modeled after Colorado's successful program.

"It gave us a chance to learn from our colleagues about the best practices and lessons learned of their startup process," said Roth. "With their expertise, we will begin our program at a much better place." 

At the Phillip J. Steele Gallery on the campus of Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design located in the 40 West Arts District in Lakewood, Colorado. Left to right: Annette Roth, ArtsWA Creative Districts Manager; Margaret Hunt, Executive Director of Colorado Creative Industries; Karen Hanan, ArtsWA Executive Director; and Liz Black, Program Manager of 40 West Arts District.

Roth and Hanan visited three creative districts while in Colorado--one urban, one suburban, and one rural. Each district was different from the other, and designed to capitalize on the unique strengths and partnerships of the local community. 

"Seeing these very different districts gave us a clear picture of what is possible in Washington," said Roth. "Communities will be able to retain their unique cultural identity and grow their economy at the same time."

"We also met with Artspace, a nonprofit real estate developer for the arts," said Hanan. "We're talking with them about how to include affordable housing as an aspect of our Creative Districts program." 

Back home, Roth and Hanan have been in conversations with communities and organizations that have expressed interest in creative districts certification. 

"We've developed a readiness toolkit to help communities assess what they'll need to do to apply," said Roth. "They should think about what their creative district would look like, identify who the ir partners would be, list their cultural assets, and begin their visioning process."

For more information on the new Creative District program  visit the Creative District website  or contact Annette Roth, ArtsWA Creative Districts Manager ,
(360-586-8098).
The Washington State Arts Commission is committed to values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and creative expression. We believe in diverse forms of artistic expression, and we believe in access to arts and arts education for all individuals in our state. The arts can and should play a role in addressing inequities, modeling inclusion, and teaching empathy.
For more information contact:
Glenda Carino | W. 360.586.8093 | C: 360.259.7862 | g [email protected]
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