Push To Declare Newton Neighborhood As MA Cultural District

NEWTON, MA — The push is on for a section of Washington Street and its surrounding Newton neighborhoods to be established as a state-recognized Cultural District in hopes it will further spur more recognition and marketability for the arts and culture centers in the stretch between West Newton and Newtonville.

Leaders of Newton Community Pride, the Newton Cultural Alliance, the New Art Center and the
Charles River Regional Chamber sent a letter to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller in December summarizing the benefits of establishing such a district, which would include the New Art Center in Newtonville, the Allen Center for the Arts in West Newton, and several other arts and cultural assets in the area, including the Jackson Homestead and Museum, public art murals, creative businesses and performing arts venues.

"The creation of a Cultural District along this major thoroughfare would create vibrancy, branding, and cohesiveness connecting these two village centers and highlight several arts and cultural assets that exist along the way and also provide access to grants that will allow us to market all that we have here," Meryl Kessler, incoming board chair of Newton Community Pride, said in a statement to Patch.

Massachusetts has a growing list of designated cultural districts, including those in Arlington, Lexington, and Concord, and one proposed in Watertown as a part of the redesigned Watertown Square.

"Arts and commerce have always gone hand in hand, and we're convinced that any effort to
amplify and nurture the arts will benefit our restaurants, shops, hotels and overall economic
vitality and vibrancy," said Greg Reibman, president and CEO at the Charles River Regional
Chamber of Commerce. "We're very pleased to be a partner in this endeavor."