First 'Creative District' Designated in Washington

A new creative district program in the state of Washington is modeled on the program in Colorado, among others.

1 minute read

January 25, 2019, 2:00 PM PST

Spangler Book Exchange, in Edmonds, Washington. | J Brew / Flickr

Washington has its first state-designated creative district in the city of Edmonds.

Agueda Pacheco Flores reports that the designation is the first to result from legislation approved in 2017 designed to stimulate economic growth through the arts and culture sector.

"The legislation provides official highway signage and $5,000 to each designated creative district. It also funds a new position: a creative districts program manager at the state’s art agency, ArtsWA," according to Flores.

The article includes more information about the importance of the arts and culture sector to the economies of states around the country, the relative lack of funding granted to the arts and culture in the state of Washington, and some of the potential challenges (i.e., gentrification) that have faced other states with creative district programs.

FULL STORY: WA’s first “Creative District” isn’t where you think

Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in Crosscut

Community / Economic Development Washington Edmonds Creative Districts ArtsWA arts and culture View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.