Nebraska’s Creative Districts

At this year’s Nebraska Planning Conference, I had the chance to take in a few good sessions that piqued my interest. Possibly the best session I took in was one about Nebraska’s Creative Districts. Moderated by Kyle McLaughlin of Olsson Associates, the session was a panel discussion about the program as developed by the Nebraska Arts Council.

Background on Nebraska’s Creative Districts

Nebraska’s Creative District Program recognizes the importance of art as an economic driver for communities. As stated on the Nebraska Arts Council website for the program:

“Creative Districts are designated cultural and economic areas where innovation flourishes and neighborhoods come together in the name of art. They provide significant economic impact by creating purposeful spaces like art galleries, theatres, and music venues, attracting employees and businesses. These are all assets and attributes that Nebraska — and every state — can effectively harness as it seeks to reinvigorate its economy.“

There are currently 34 creative districts in Nebraska. Each one is a unique gem of its own. The application starts with a simple letter of interest to the Nebraska Arts Council. But the process gets extensive as you move toward certification. Yet those communities that have been through it regularly say it was a rewarding experience that is beneficial to the city.

Example Creative Districts in Nebraska

At the session that day, Kyle had representatives from Brownville, Alliance, Holdredge, and York. Each of the four representatives described their own district and the successes their community has witnessed as a result of the program.

Brownville

Steve Woerth discussed the Brownville Creative District. Brownville is a town that’s been a focal point of Rural Resurrection a couple of times in the past. We’ve talked about the herculean efforts put forth by this town of 140 residents to redevelop its riverfront to energize tourism and their utilization of the UNL Serviceship program for technical assistance.

Brownville is home to the state’s oldest theater, putting on five plays each year. This diminutive community is also home to seven resident artists and several studios, galleries, and museums. Although Steve proclaims that the town has essentially been a creative district for the past 65 years, the program has been effective in the community to pull together the efforts of the nine non-profits and other entities working to make Brownville better.

Alliance

Situated in Northwest Nebraska, Alliance is a ways from any major metropolitan area. But this city of 8,151 has worldwide notoriety. Alliance is the home of Carhenge, a locally made version of Stonehenge that draws over 200,000 visitors a year.

Organizers of the Alliance Creative District have wisely sought to utilize Carhenge to jumpstart the creative district. Each year, they hold the Carhenge Mural Festival. Annually, the community is host to eight artists who paint murals on the eight cars that make up the inner circle of Carhenge. The community has received applications from artists in the UK, Belgium, France, and Mexico to make their own designs on the cars in this famous roadside attraction.

Although Alliance has a number of other events that draw tourists, the Carhenge Mural Festival draws the most interest. As one muralist has remarked, the event is “Too weird not to apply.”

Other States with a Similar Program

Provided below are a few other Midwestern states with similar programs. Most states have districts of some type, whether they are labeled “creative districts”, “arts districts”, or “cultural districts”, they all typically involve the use of art in placemaking.

• Iowa’s Cultural and Entertainment Districts
• Wisconsin’s Creative Communities Grants
• Indiana’s Cultural Districts

Even if a state doesn’t offer a similar program, cities have taken it upon themselves to create their own districts. Communities like Chillicothe, Missouri, and their Kelly Polling Arts District have successfully made their own arts districts.

Arts and Placemaking

With the help of the Nebraska Arts Council’s Creative Districts program, communities throughout Nebraska are utilizing art to enhance placemaking and draw visitors. Although the application process is extensive, it isn’t overwhelming. Of the 34 Creative Districts in Nebraska, 14 are from communities of less than 6,000 residents. With an active non-profit at the helm, most rural communities can make it happen.