Area Arts Districts are Thriving. Add One Here, BID Suggests

POTTSTOWN PA – There’s one in Doylestown, another in Bethlehem, a third in Aston (Delaware County), and of course one in Philadelphia.

All four southeastern Pennsylvania municipalities operate thriving arts districts.

An arts district has the potential to work here too, the Pottstown Business Improvement District (BID) Management Association believes. Creation of a “North Charlotte Street Arts District,” it says, can serve as a visitor attraction – and a corresponding economic driver – for the borough.

The BID introduced its case for the district earlier this month to Pottstown Borough Council’s Committee of the Whole. Over a period of five years, Main Street Manager Danielle Kangas told it, an arts district could “bring new activity to North Charlotte through creative businesses, public art, and community programming.”

The proposed district, she explains, would focus on North Charlotte Street between High and Beech streets. The BID reports there are several vacant storefronts in the corridor, some of them empty for 20 years or longer. Its proposal envisions working with property owners to explore galleries, artist studios, artisan retail, and other complementary uses.

Art walks, pop-up markets – a “Bells of Boyertown Arts Trail” featuring both debuted this summer – and community events would help connect these spaces, the BID points out. Additional activities are likely to encourage visitors to explore nearby shops, restaurants, and services, the presentation noted.

Photo rendering at top provided by the Pottstown Business Improvement District

Creativity Already at Work

Creative activity is already taking shape along the proposed corridor, Kangas acknowledges.

• Charlotte Street Coffee was recognized as a gathering place for artists and residents;
• YWCA TriCounty Area is serving as a supportive community anchor;
• Nexus Gallery, and Mud Slingers Ceramics School & Creative Studio, are among emerging businesses bringing additional opportunities to experience, create, and purchase art downtown.

The proposal also would build on Pottstown’s established arts community. It includes the Steel River Playhouse, The High Street Music Company, ArtFusion 19464, and the Pottstown Area Artists Guild.

The presentation explored opportunities to engage students and educational partners. Potential collaboration with The Hill School seems possible, it notes, in projects that connect young people with local artists and their community.

Connecting long-standing organizations with newer creative businesses could strengthen the visibility and reach of arts programming throughout Pottstown, the BID contends.

Starting With Small Steps

In its proposed first year, an arts district would focus on forming an advisory committee under the BID. It would confirm the district name, seek to engage property owners, and recruit businesses.

The second year would emphasize art walks, pop-up shops, signage and façade improvements, and coordinate digital marketing.

Goals for Years 3-5 include additional storefront activations, public art installations, regional promotion, and a signature annual event.

As would be expected, the timeline depends in part on funding, partnerships, property owner participation, and applicable approvals. The BID has already identified potential government, foundation, and corporate funding sources to explore.

As planning continues, the BID is seeking letters of support and prospective grant application partners. Property owners, artists, businesses, and community organizations interested in participating are asked to contact Kangas by e-mail at dkangas@discoverpottstown.org.

A Boost from the Commonwealth?

State officials also believe arts district proposals like the one offered by the BID have economic legs.

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts during May launched the Pennsylvania Creative Districts program. Its statewide initiative is intended to support communities that want to elevate their creative assets by leveraging what’s unique in local downtowns.

Downtown cultural and physical characteristics have the power, the council reports, to enhance livability, improve public spaces, and promote visitation.

The program also is offering incentives. Officially designated “creative districts” would be eligible to qualify for up to $50,000 in annual grant funding over five years, it says, to support district management, programming, public art, community engagement, and creative business development.

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