A bill introduced by Assemblymember Richard Bloom of Santa Monica to designate arts districts throughout the state passed and was signed into law by the Governor. (AB 189 Arts Districts bill text here.) It now awaits implementation by the California Arts Council.
Orange County shows great promise as a home to many such districts.
*downtown Laguna Beach and downtown Santa Ana, abundant with art galleries, art schools and important arts institutions;
*the Segerstrom Center for the Arts--home to Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Pacific Chorale, South Coast Repertory and, in the years ahead, the Orange County Museum of Art;
*SoBeCa (South Bristol Entertainment Culture and Arts district), which includes The LAB and the CAMP in Costa Mesa and Anaheim's Packinghouse District, which includes MUZEO, Center Street Promenade and The Packinghouse;
*San Juan Capistrano's historic downtown, which includes the Mission, California's oldest residential neighborhood (Los Rios Street) and its library;
*Garden Grove's Main Street, with the Shakespeare Festival Amphitheatre and historic Gem Theatre and Fullerton's downtown, with its theatres and galleries;
*Huntington Beach and San Clemente downtowns, which combine the arts and surf culture;
*the Newport Beach Civic Center Park Sculpture Exhibition and Public Library.
*Mission Viejo's Oso Creek Trail and Murray Community Center.
What would such certification mean for these areas? Bragging rights, to be sure, but extra attention by tourism promotion entitites and the inclusion in what could possibly emerge as a statewide cultural district map and website. It could bring new funding, too, from local government, foundations and businesses, perhaps even the California Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts--though it's too early to tell.
"Creative placemaking" and "creative zones" have taken on new importance as drivers of economic development in many locations--and not just because they attract tourist dollars. Robust cultural life attracts talented people to work in creative industries, and Orange County's economy is heavily dependent upon this sector.
ArtsOC will share more about the new Arts District program when details become available.
