Creative District - Planning for state certificationThe city of Soap Lake and Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee officially joined together in January of 2023 to pursue creative district certification. The Creative Districts program is a state economic development initiative designed to helps communities turn cultural activities into economic growth.
What is a Certified Creative District? A Creative District is a fun place to live, work, and visit. It’s geographically defined area of cultural and economic activity. It’s the heart of a community. It is a place for people to gather and enjoy their community’s arts and culture. A district is a place where innovation and creativity can thrive. A place that helps the community move enthusiastically into the future. Source: https://www.arts.wa.gov/creative-districts/ |
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Where will the district be located? How did we decide on this area?
As mentioned above, a creative district is the heart of a community, a place for people to gather. Like a hub in a wheel all points lead to this place - the district is the center that draws from and serves the area around it. Requirements for the designated area include:
The area we have mapped follows Main Ave E from Division St N until just east of Daisy St N, and encompasses businesses and organizations on both sides of Main Ave E. It also includes the area from Daisy St N starting at Main Ave E, extending north to approximately 1/2 block north of 3rd Ave NE, and encompasses the Visitor Information Center and Chamber of Commerce building, amphitheater, the "Calling the Healing Waters" sculpture, and Smokiam Park, as well as businesses on the west sides of Daisy St. N. |
If downtown Soap Lake is the "hub" then what are the "spokes?"
When we say "spokes" we mean the creative businesses that are outside of the district boundary, home-based creative businesses, and other creative assets in the nearby region. There are more than we can reasonably list on this page, but here are a few examples.
When we say "spokes" we mean the creative businesses that are outside of the district boundary, home-based creative businesses, and other creative assets in the nearby region. There are more than we can reasonably list on this page, but here are a few examples.
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Soap Lake Community Center (Art classes, music, and more) Mi Cocinita Mexican Grill & Cantina Wylde Cactus Candle Company |
Cariboo Trails Studio
Youth Empowerment Program (Healing through art) Bottom of the Barrel, Co. The Knotty Broomstick |
Progress Updates & Informational Materials
April 2024 Our next planning meeting is scheduled for April 18th, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Soap Lake Community Center. We are now entering the final phase of the planning process and will be adopting a more collaborative approach in our meetings. This means more round table discussions where decisions will be made and tasks will be assigned. Our agenda for this meeting is as follows: • Planning for a Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) Analysis of our proposed district – deciding when, where, and who will participate. (If you've ever participated in SWOT Analysis sessions in the past, those of us who haven't might benefit from your experience. Please join us.) • Establishing partners and leadership committee members for the longer term. • Crafting our district plan – setting goals and milestones for our first 3 to 5 years (Top 3 short-term and top 3 long-term goals.) • Looking ahead to the official application. As we prepare to submit the application, our creative district governing board/organizational subcommittee will be formed, a strategic program plan will be written, and a budget will be created. We'll need help pulling together images and documentation that demonstrate arts activities and represent the "feel" of our district. These are just a few examples of how the work we have done so far will be used to showcase the good that already exists in our community and the potential for more. Are you interested in actively participating at this level, but have questions or concerns? Please come to this meeting and share those questions/concerns. Bring a friend! If you're unable to make the meeting, but still want to participate, please send us an email at creative.district@couleefriends.org, or reach out to one of our committee members. Will you help us develop a creative economy in Soap Lake, one that will improve livability, support creative industry jobs, and bolster revenue? Please email us at creative.district@couleefriends.org for more information. Your financial support will be greatly appreciated. Please visit our Donate Page to make a contribution. |
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