MCRC is leading a community-wide effort to pursue designation of Meadville as one of Pennsylvania’s Creative Districts—an opportunity to strengthen our local creative economy, support artists and entrepreneurs, enhance downtown vitality, and build upon the cultural, historic, business, and community assets that make Meadville distinctive.
Planning began earlier this year with two stakeholder meetings that brought together more than two dozen representatives from the arts, business, local government, community organizations, downtown institutions, and the broader community. Through those conversations, participants began identifying the people, places, organizations, businesses, and creative resources that contribute to Meadville’s unique sense of place—and exploring a shared vision of Meadville as a “resilient maker community.”
Using the Pennsylvania Creative Industries asset-mapping framework, stakeholders have begun developing an inventory of Meadville’s creative, cultural, historic, business, and community assets. This work will help inform the proposed district boundaries, priorities, partnerships, and ultimately a five-year plan for the Creative District.
MCRC submitted a Letter of Intent to Pennsylvania Creative Industries in June and will serve as the District Coordinating Organization for the initiative. A diverse Creative District Advisory Committee has now been formed and will hold its first meeting in September. Together, MCRC and the Advisory Committee will guide the next phase of planning, continue engaging the community, establish proposed district boundaries and priorities, and develop the five-year plan required for designation.
Successful designation could bring up to $100,000 annually for five years to support implementation of the district plan—while creating new opportunities to connect and strengthen Meadville’s artists, creative businesses, placemaking and public art, cultural organizations, entrepreneurs, and community partners.
Most importantly, the Creative District is intended to be a community-driven initiative. There will be multiple opportunities in the months ahead for artists, businesses, organizations, residents, and other community members to learn more, share ideas, and help shape the district’s future.
One of those opportunities is coming up soon. On Sunday, September 13, from 2:00–4:00 p.m., MCRC and the French Creek Arts Collective (FCAC) will cohost a Creative District Community Mixer & Dialogue at FCAC, 122 Cussewago Square. Meadville-area visual and performing artists, FCAC members, and others interested in the local creative community are invited to join an informal afternoon of conversation, information sharing, and networking.
A central focus will be hearing directly from artists: How can we make Meadville a better place to create and sustain a life and career as an artist? What resources, spaces, connections, training, business assistance, or other supports are needed? Participants will also learn about resources available through FCAC and the Meadville Business Assistance Center at Hatch Hollow.
Another early example of Creative District activity is planned for this fall through a collaboration between MCRC and the Meadville Tribune. An exhibition featuring emerging Meadville artist Marcus Jageman will showcase the work of this local artist while also highlighting a space with potential for future development through the Creative District initiative.
Stay Connected
Want to follow Meadville’s Creative District planning process and learn about upcoming opportunities to participate? Select “Arts Community” when signing up for updates on our contact form. For questions, please contact Amara Geffen at ageffen@allegheny.edu.
Photo Credit: Nate Smallwood