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Barnstable recognizes the importance of the arts in a vibrant community, both as a means to enhance and enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors and as a revitalization tool by supporting the creative economy to stimulate economic growth. Arts and Culture initiatives are fundamental to economic development and job creation. The fusion of artist housing, workspace, exhibits, shanties and performing arts work together to keep the arts and culture economic stimulus active and productive.
The HyArts District in downtown Hyannis is home to local artists with seaside shanties, year round artist studios and galleries, free events all year including theater and musical performances alongside Hyannis Harbor, art walks, open studios, art festivals and much more. These initiatives are key components to the success of the revitalization of downtown Hyannis and has stimulated collateral private development on Pearl and North Streets. It has become a live/work/play area for residents and a true destination for visitors.
The success of the HyArts District is rooted in a series of arts related strategies which enlivened the economic climate in downtown Hyannis by investing time and resources into underutilized areas, establishing an economic cluster as an important backdrop for year round residents and visitors.
The Town and several local and regional organizations, including the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District (BID), the Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC), the Cape Cod Art Association (CCAA) and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (AFCC) and in consultation with the Cape Cod Chamber, continue to work cooperatively to provide resources to the arts community while fostering economic growth and establishing Hyannis as a regional center for creative and performing arts.
In 2005, seven artist shanties were constructed on the harbor front. These shanties offer local artists an affordable location to create and sell their work. The artists receive marketing support from the Harbor Your Arts program.
The rehabilitation of an underutilized grassy area into an outdoor performing arts center was completed in 2006 and includes an award winning public art installation named, “Buoyed Coasts”. The area now provides a venue for ongoing entertainment along the harbor and affords tremendous exposure for local musicians and actors. Bordering the performing arts venue on Pleasant Street is a town-owned and maintained park. Pleasant Street Park provides easy access to the state run ferries and has helped to increase foot traffic by extending the Walkway to the Sea from the harbor front to Main Street. Over two million people use the Walkway each year drawing thousands of travelers from the ferries to the shops and restaurants along Main Street.
In 2007, two homes were purchased on Pearl Street, which is adjacent to Main Street, and renovated by the Town into artist live/work and shared studio/gallery space. These properties encompass the backbone of the downtown arts district, which also consist of private enterprises such as a gelato shop and local charter high school.
On the same campus as the Pearl Street Properties is the Hyannis Harbor Arts Center at the Guyer Barn, a showcase for emerging and established artists. It is a year round community art space, working artist studio and professional artist gallery supporting and promoting the arts through exhibits, education and performances
The Town has branded Main Street Hyannis and the harbor front area as a downtown arts & culture district, “HyArts” , which includes the Pearl Street artist work studios, an artist residence and gallery, artist shanties on the harbor, performing arts venue, Pleasant Street Park, four museums and two memorials. A website, www.hyartsdistrict.com and a facebook page-hyartsdistrict promote the district.
To further enhance the cultural district in downtown Hyannis regionally and nationally as an arts destination, future plans include the state designation as a cultural district. A strong creative economy provides the opportunity to capitalize upon regional dollars with an area unified and transformed into a distinct arts destination. The development of this cultural district will increase the value of the arts in the community through the cultivation of diverse new audiences and keep consumers coming back throughout the year. District branding and cultural activities such as historic walking and art gallery tours, artist shanties and work studios, classes, workshops and exhibits will all serve to attract visitors to the area. Future plans also include the creation of a multi-use cultural center which will become the backbone of the arts district and will complement and enhance arts and culture initiatives in downtown Hyannis.
There are smaller but equally as vibrant arts communities in each of the seven villages of the Town of Barnstable. The historic tree-lined Old Kings Highway (Route 6A) along the northside boasts numerous galleries, antique shops and artist studios. Barnstable is home to the Cape Cod Symphony, Cape Cod Conservatory, Cape Cod Art Association and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. Numerous museums such as the Cotuit Center for the Arts, the Cahoon Museum, Trayser Museum and historical societies and places of historical significance are plentiful in the seven villages. Knitting together the arts and cultural assets among all seven towns remains a top priority within the town’s economic development agenda.
Website: www.HyArtsDistrict.com
Contact: Melissa Hersh
