Work begins to make district dreams a reality

Crisfield is the new home to an arts and entertainment district, having earned that designation this month.  Thursday night the hard work began at the city's library, planning out how to institute that district.  And fortunately, the city has laid the groundwork.

Crisfield has been investing in new events, while building up more traditional events.

Dozens of Crisfield residents and local artists were on hand to help craft the plans for the district.

The second phase of the district involves a list of goals that will take years to achieve, including an artist co-op, and luring developers and new artists to come to the area.

"When those gallery spaces and artist spaces open up then coffee shops open up and those businesses open up.  So it takes a few years but it's well worth the wait," said Steven Skerritt-Davis, Program Director at Maryland State Arts Council.

We're told Crisfield's proposal was strong thanks to the culture of art already in the city, and attracting new artists will be made easy by the tax breaks they would receive.

Crisfield has been trying to revitalize its economy around tourism, and the belief is that this district will be the focal point, the thing that makes that happen in the future.

"You can leverage this arts and entertainment district designation and the attraction of artists and arts businesses to your community, and leverage that for tourism," said Skerritt-Davis.   "So there's lots of opportunity for people to get involved and to really help Crisfield raise itself up using the arts."

Meetings for the arts and entertainment district in Crisfield take place on the third Thursday of every month.