Tenino Receives Creative District Designation – A Celebration of the Arts, Creativity, Innovation and Economic Prosperity in Tenino
Creative districts help Washington communities thrive by growing the creative sector and by turning cultural activities into economic growth. Creative districts – the heart of a community and a geographically defined area – are fun places to live, work, and visit.
The Tenino Creative District, only the 7th to receive the Creative District designation in the state, will bring together creative people located anywhere within the Tenino zip code, which encompasses about 8,000 people.
The long-term plan for the Tenino Creative District dovetails with one goal of the City’s Comprehensive Plan — create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly city.
The Creative District is, in large part, a result of efforts by the South Thurston Economic Development Initiative (STEDI), a program of the Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC). STEDI staff supported the City with coordinating a task force to complete a Community Readiness Toolkit, create short- and long-term goals and apply for Creative District Certification.
STEDI staff will serve as the Tenino Creative District manager through a contract with the City and will begin implementing the work plan that was developed during the formation of the Creative District. The first celebration of the Certification was the unveiling of the new Tenino Creative District wayfinding sign in the heart of the District and near the Tenino Farmers market.
Tenino artists believe the designation will call attention to the fact that there are a lot of creative people who live and work in the area. “We have artists here! I’m hoping that having this designation will help travelers and folks throughout the region view Tenino as a destination to visit rather than a bedroom community or a place to drive through,” said Donna Taylor Mayo, a Tenino artist. “Art is the soul of a community and I’m excited that the Creative District will celebrate and promote artists and their work.”
Linda Gotovac, a Member of Tenino’s City Council agrees. “As a member of the Tenino City Council I was excited with the prospect of our city being designated a Creative District and now that it has completed that endeavor, I am excited to see all the many artistic and talented people come forward to share their talents with our community and visitors.”
View the ribbon-cutting video on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/TeninoAreaChamberofCommerce/videos/1177203969303012/?v=1177203969303012
