Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Main Street Warsaw (MSW) recently hosted Anne Johansson, community services manager for the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC), who leads the Indiana Arts Commission Cultural District designation process.
With more than 25 local arts organizations and community leaders in attendance, Johansson presented on future plans for the Indiana Cultural District Designation. There are currently 12 cultural districts in Indiana that have received the designation, according to a news release from MSW.
Johansson presented research on how arts and creativity improve Hoosiers’ health and wellbeing, and improves learning outcomes and students’ career readiness. In addition, the arts sector generates economic benefits helping retain and attract people and talent because they want to be where they have access to both a variety of creative activities and vibrant places where they feel both welcomed and inspired, the news release states. In particular, IAC designated cultural districts have generated significant economic benefits to their community with zip codes surrounding designated Indiana Cultural Districts generating $819 million in revenue generated by creative industries and over $83 million in revenue generated by creative nonprofit organizations in 2022.
MSW provided an update on progress in implementing the Downtown Warsaw Cultural Arts District Plan which was released earlier this year. Becoming a designated cultural district is one of the primary goals of the plan which has a vision for downtown Warsaw’s cultural arts district to become a premier destination where a culturally rich and diverse arts scene serves as an economic engine attracting investment, retaining top talent, and enriching the quality of life for the entire community, according to the release. MSW board members provided an update on the plan’s implementation and detailed a number of projects that are in progress. They intend to apply for designation.
Following the presentation, Johansson said, “I am impressed with what Downtown Warsaw is doing, it aligns well with the program, and I think they are well positioned to submit a strong application.”
Cori Humes, executive director of the Kosciusko Convention and Visitors Bureau and MSW board member and Warsaw Public Arts Commission member, who was in attendance, said, “We have seen first-hand how arts and culture can drive tourism, customer spending and attract new investment in our communities. Downtown Warsaw has so much momentum and it’s exciting to see that we are in a position to become a designated cultural district.”
More information on the IAC Cultural District designation can be found at https://www.in.gov/arts/programs-and-services/partners/cultural-districts/#tab_d4f15f1918_Economic_Development and to review the Downtown Warsaw Cultural Arts District Plan go to WarsawCulturalArtsDistrictPlan_webVersionPages.pdf
