Artists and Creative Businesses Survey

What is the purpose of this survey?

Artists and creative individuals are encouraged to participate in Worcester's developing Arts District and other emerging creative environments in the City. This survey is designed to determine housing, studio, marketing and financial needs of artists and creative people of all disciplines. Understanding the unique needs of artists is essential for the creation of physical space, marketing and financial incentive programs. Results of this survey will be used to help meet the specific needs of artists by guiding property developers with the logistical information necessary to create loft housing/studio space and guide the City in developing marketing and financial programs of greatest benefit and incentive to artists.

Who is conducting this survey?

This artist survey is being administered by the Arts District Partnership with technical assistance from Worcester Community Project Center at WPI, on behalf of City of Worcester, Arts District Partnership and the Worcester Cultural Coalition.

Who should complete this survey?

Artists of all disciplines, arts administrators, visual and performing arts instructors and students, and all others interested in living, working, conducting business in a creative environment.

What is the Worcester Arts District?

The Arts District in Worcester is a public/private cultural economic development initiative intended to provide a vibrant, and engaging place to live, work and visit. The Arts District, situated in the City's Main South section located in downtown Worcester, is becoming a home to artists and others working in creative endeavors. The goal is to revitalize the existing historic structures and other under-used buildings in the neighborhood, in a creative and economically stimulating manner. The District will become a regional draw for people wanting to rediscover their heritage, buy unique handcrafted items and fine art, participate in arts events, and appreciate public art and creative landscaping.

History of the Worcester Arts District

The idea and need for an Arts District with artists livework, studio, exhibition, and performance space took root during a City Council Candidates' Forum on the Arts when local artists asked the City for support in the development of an Arts District. Shepherded by ARTSWorcester, a nonprofit artist advocacy organization, an Arts District Zone Overlay was established and adopted by the City of Worcester, which created appropriate zoning to encourage cultural redevelopment. Since that time, ARTSWorcester relocated its offices and gallery to the District, a Cultural Development Officer was hired by the City, in partnership with the Worcester Cultural Coalition, to support the development of the District; several redevelopment projects in the District have been completed, including a community supermarket, an organic food coop/ retail art gallery, and over 100 units of mixed-income loft housing and arts-incubator space (forthcoming).

The Arts District Partnership, comprised of a broad cross-section of stakeholders in the area, now oversees the development of the Arts District. With the planning phase for the Worcester Arts District now finalized, undertaking an artist survey will aid in the implementation phase of the Master Plan. Our mission is to establish artists and creative organizations in the Arts District and beyond. If you are not interested in moving into the Arts District, yet desire an artist friendly live/work location, please complete this survey as well and define the area in which you seek residence.