Section 10-A1404. AC-1.2 CREATING ARTS DISTRICTS

 

1404.1Arts Districts are identified, mixed-use areas of the city in which a high concentration of arts and cultural facilities serves as an anchor of attraction. The tendency of cultural activities to cluster together is born out of the energy and excitement that is generated when there is more than one activity occurring in a limited area. Theater, music and visual arts audiences grow when the opportunity for exposure to various cultures and cultural events is present, especially when those opportunities take place in geographic clusters. 1404.1

 

1404.2Promoting the formation of such clusters by creating Arts Districts not only provides value to art patrons, it also spurs creative collaboration among arts organizations and artists. It can result in inventive artistic products as well as cost savings through shared facilities and/or shared administrative functions. 1404.2

 

1404.3Arts Districts also have an economic development value. Retail shops, restaurants, and hotels find a ready market for their goods and services in Arts Districts. More than 90 cities in the United States have planned or implemented such districts, positioning the arts at the center of their urban revitalization efforts. In the District, the 7th Street corridor, which includes a number of art galleries, the Shakespeare Theater and the new Woolly Mammoth Theater, is a good example. The corridor has attracted a mix of uses including a number of restaurants, and retail establishments. 1404.3

 

1404.4Figure 14.1 shows the existing Arts Districts in Washington. These districts were established in the early 1980’s as part of a District-wide strategy to use the arts to improve the social and economic well-being of the city. Representatives from the executive and legislative branches of government, business, developers, the arts community, and the public at-large collaborated in their formation. 1404.4

 

1404.5Figure 14.1: Arts Districts, 2005

 

http://www.planning.dc.gov/planning/frames.asp?doc=/planning/lib/planning/2006_revised_comp_plan/14_artsculture.pdf

 

1404.6Policy AC-1.2.1: Arts District

 

Sustain the Downtown Arts District as the preeminent location in the city for region-serving arts venues, including theaters, galleries, and museums and encourage the development of additional arts districts throughout the city. 1404.6

 

1404.7Policy AC-1.2.2: Designate Arts Districts

 

Identify, recognize, and support existing clusters of arts establishments and encourage the designation of such areas as Arts Districts. 1404.7

 

1404.8Action AC-1.2.A: Arts Overlay Zones

 

Use zoning overlays to promote and sustain Arts Districts. Ensure that Arts overlay zones are consistent with other District zoning regulations and that incentives for arts-related uses are not precluded by other provisions of zoning. 1404.8

 

1404.9Action AC-1.2.B: Arts District Along Rhode Island Avenue

 

Explore the feasibility of designating an Arts District along Rhode Island Avenue, capitalizing on the designation along the US 1 corridor in Prince George’s County (Mount Rainier, Brentwood, Hyattsville). Creation of such a district would include incentives for arts facilities and live-work housing, particularly in Northeast DC. Ensure that regulations associated with this district, if created, are consistent with other District proposals for this corridor (including those identified in the Comprehensive Plan). 1404.9

 

1404.10Action AC-1.2.C: Cultural Enterprise Zones

 

Explore the feasibility of creating “Cultural Enterprise Zones” in which commercial and nonprofit cultural organizations have clustered office spaces, rehearsal and performance spaces, retail boutiques and galleries, and studio and living spaces for individual artists (see text box). Use tax incentives and subsidies to attract cultural organizations and private investors to such areas. 1404.10

 

1404.11Action AC-1.2.D: Enforcement of Zoning Requirements

 

Establish an inspection and enforcement program for Arts District zoning requirements, ensuring that such requirements (such as the display of art in store windows) are enforced after projects are constructed. This program should be part of the city’s overall zoning enforcement efforts. 1404.11

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.