FAQs
What is a Cultural District?
A cultural district, as defined by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), is a downtown area with a concentration of cultural and art facilities, activities and local businesses assets. It is walkable, easily identifiable to visitors and residents and serves as a magnet for artistic and economic activity. It serves a diverse and inclusive set of programs to meet the needs of everyone within our community and visitors to our District.
The Plymouth Bay Cultural District was named the 27th Cultural District in the Commonwealth on November 19, 2014. As host to 123 originating cultural assets, it is the largest in the Commonwealth.
Where is the Plymouth Bay Cultural District?
The Plymouth Bay Cultural District circumscribes the waterfront and the main streets of downtown Plymouth.
Why was the Plymouth Bay Cultural District created?
The District was formed to enable and encourage the region’s art and cultural institutions and private businesses to better communicate, collaborate and coordinate events and activities. By raising the profile of the arts in the town of Plymouth and facilitating partnerships among organizations, patrons, visitors and our community in general benefit.
Organizations are deemed members simply by being located within district borders. Being in the District provides opportunities for members to springboard off one another. For example, if Project Arts is sponsoring an Irish act at a waterfront concert, a local restaurant may feature Irish menu selections, while a local Irish imports shop may offer a special discount to concert-goers.
A vibrant art and culture scene stimulates economic activity, improves the experience of visitors to our community, in hopes they return, and enhances the quality of life for those who live in Plymouth. Simply stated if more people visit the District, more people will walk through your door, shop at your store, eat at your establishment and enjoy entertainment at your venue. And ring your registers. Everybody wins!
How will the District members communicate?
Our primary tool for information exchange is our website, www.plymouthbayculture.org. The website is the place to discover all there is to know about what is happening in the Plymouth Bay Cultural District, as well as all events occurring in the greater Plymouth region. Our central calendar includes information and links to businesses and organizations in the district by category (dining, shopping, services, etc.), and features various member businesses and organizations (designated with a badge.) Any event posted on our monthly calendar is free to you as a local business. [All submissions must be approved by our site administrator.]
In addition, district members can communicate via an email newsletter that includes a “monthly summary” of events, supplementary information and announcements. We are also very social media heavy (Facebook-Instagram) with posts of upcoming events, sponsorship shout-outs, and videos of many of our live events. The website encourages the general public to subscribe to “Distribute Email News,” which allows us to market to potential patrons.
Monthly committee meetings are held to brainstorm and share information on finding better ways to connect the waterfront, the downtown areas and visitors. Currently, the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We welcome suggestions for potential projects to the committee and to be included on the agenda, email us at wmakenney@msn.com
Is there a fee for District membership?
No. By being located within the District boundaries, you are automatically a member. All you have to do is keep in touch through our newsletter or Facebook!
What do I need to do as a member?
- Feature the Plymouth Bay Cultural District membership decal prominently at your place of business
- Like “Plymouth Bay Cultural District” on Facebook
- Add a link to the District site on your website
- Submit free events or activities to the website – www.plymouthbayculture.org
- Subscribe to our e-communications to keep up to date on District plans and news
- Volunteer your time to our events
- Keep yourself in the loop!
Who is on the committee?
The Plymouth Bay Cultural District is led by a committee of volunteers dedicated to promoting and enriching the art and cultural scene in the town of Plymouth:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Malissa Kenney, Arts Advocate, Chair
Amy Naples, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer
Dorothy Pauk, Secretary
Andrew Botieri, former Chair
Parking/Restroom Facilities
A public restroom building located at the waterfront adjacent to Mayflower II and at the Town Hall on Main Street is open from April through November.
Plymouth has street parking and off-street parking in designated lots, and public transportation throughout town in the form of buses, and free shuttle services. There is also public transportation from Boston and Cape Cod to Plymouth, and the bus system transports visitors from each major bus and train station in the area (the Kingston MBTA stations and the Exit 5 P&B Bus Stop) directly to the Cultural District.
The Cultural District offers ample metered parking located in close proximity to theaters, restaurants, visual art galleries and other District attractions.