Massachusetts Cultural Council Cultural Districts Technical Assistance

Maren Brown provide technical assistance to two cultural districts partnerships in Massachusetts on behalf of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC).  The projects were designed to enhance MCC’s capacity to provide support to communities wishing to submit their cultural districts applications.  Ultimately, the projects supported the goals of the MCC’s cultural districts program to attract artists and cultural enterprises to Massachusetts communities; encourage business and job development; establish the district as a tourist destination; preserve and reuse historic buildings; enhance property values and foster local cultural development.

The first project included three key components:  (1) development of handouts to support technical assistance; (2) preparation and follow up from on-site meetings with the cultural districts partnership; and, (3) the delivery of five, two-hour on-site meetings with community leaders. Technical assistance focused on partnership development, planning, program  and audience development.  Brown co-delivered this technical assistance project with MCC’s Cultural Districts Manager, Meri Jenkins.

The second cultural districts project involved the development and delivery of community meetings, and the provision of technical assistance in setting up an effective cultural district.  Brown delivered the second technical assistance project in consultation with MCC’s Cultural Districts Manager, Meri Jenkins.