By James Robinson

Local artists, creatives and community members are encouraged to learn about Port Townsend’s recently released Arts and Culture Plan at a special networking event on March 28.

“At the 2023 October convenings, our creative community asked for networking opportunities with other artists,” said Natalie Maitland, director of operations of Fort Worden Hospitality and member of the Port Townsend Creative District subcommittee. “This is a chance to connect and we look forward to this meet-up. We will outline the Arts and Culture Plan, mingle and invite creatives to be involved in the next phase of the plan.”

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on March 28 at the Old Whiskey Mill at 1038 Water Street in downtown Port Townsend.

On Jan. 30, members of the Port Townsend Creative District subcommittee revealed the plan, which focuses on bolstering city arts and expanding living wage opportunities for artists who live and work in the creative district by providing resources and marketing support.

“Jefferson County is home to hundreds of artists and their creative spirit threads through our community,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program, in a press release. “Even though Port Townsend is a rural city of 10,300, the arts are a strong economic engine here.” 

At 42 pages, the cultural plan identifies six goals, including increased job support, creation of paid projects and training opportunities, and collaborative communication between the arts community and the public and private sectors. Developing arts-focused infrastructure and working to enhance the area’s identity as an arts community are also among the priorities.

The goal of the district is “to connect audiences with artists and support a year-round creative economy,” according to plan documents. 

“This strategic framework will provide a three- to five-year blueprint for the Creative District’s activities to help support Port Townsend’s creative economy,” Mullen said.

Artists working within and around the Port Townsend Creative District are being encouraged to add their information to a growing online directory, housed on the district’s website.

“There is tremendous synergy between the nonprofits, artists, businesses, and our community,” Mullen said. 

The plan provides other recommendations. These include sharing the overall vision with local leaders and stakeholders, and forming a creative district task force. Developing budgets and work plans for the next two years are also pivotal steps. 

On May 6, 2020, the Washington State Arts Commission named Port Townsend the state’s newest creative district, spanning the downtown and uptown historic districts and Fort Worden State Park. The designation provides resources, grant opportunities, technical assistance, training, and networking as it tracks the progress of each community’s creative economy.

The Port Townsend Creative District is a collaboration with the Port Townsend Main Street Program, Centrum, Port Townsend Public Library, Northwind Art, KPTZ Radio Port Townsend, Key City Public Theatre, Fort Worden Public Development Authority, and the city of Port Townsend. The Creative District Subcommittee is comprised of representatives from local arts, civic and cultural organizations.

The City of Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), ArtsWA and the Port Townsend Main Street Program funded the plan.

The mission of the Creative District is to expand living-wage opportunities for artists who live, work and show within the Creative District and connect audiences with artists. It focuses its efforts on five arts disciplines: visual, literary, performing, culinary, and makers arts. The district includes downtown, uptown, and the historic campus of Fort Worden.

For more information, visit
ptcreativedistrict.org online.