Arts and Culture Means Business in Georgetown

April 2019 Main Street Matters

By Amanda Still, Georgetown Arts & Culture Coordinator and Eric Lashley, Georgetown Library Director

Editor’s Note: The Georgetown Public Library was the recipient of the 2018 Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal, the highest honor a library and museum can receive in our nation. Library Director Eric Lashley will be a summer workshop speaker in Mount Pleasant, June 11-14.

In 2013, Georgetown’s Downtown Overlay District was officially designated as a Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Georgetown is one of only 34 cities across the state with the designation, lending a level of distinction and recognition to our arts community that serves to foster pride, and a sense of place among residents and visitors. Cultural districts are special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization. These districts can become focal points for generating businesses, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development, and fostering civic pride. To learn more about the cultural district program go to: http://www.arts.texas.gov/initiatives/cultural-districts/.

Georgetown is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As the county seat of Williamson County, Georgetown holds an important position in the region’s economic and political landscape. Over the past few decades, Georgetown has also solidified its status as one of the premier locations for arts and culture in Central Texas. Building upon the Most Beautiful Town Square surrounded by historic buildings and the courthouse, downtown Georgetown is the focal point for much of the community’s arts and culture activities. Arts and culture organizers in town bring the architecture and history of our area to life, curate thought-provoking exhibits and events, create magical theater experiences, and organize concerts that transport the listener.

Georgetown’s Cultural District overlaps our historic downtown square and its many wonderful restaurants, wineries, galleries, and much more. It is the focus for dedicated arts and culture organizers: the people who are the roots of our vibrant arts community.

The Cultural District is anchored by: the Georgetown Art Center, the Georgetown Palace Theatre, the Williamson Museum, the Georgetown Public Library, and the Grace Heritage Center. Southwestern University’s Sarofim School of Fine Arts, only a few blocks from the district, hosts outstanding theatre productions, concerts, and art exhibits for the general public.

In 2017, the City of Georgetown contracted with TXP, Inc. to conduct an economic impact study of Georgetown’s arts and culture sector. Our downtown has approximately 15 arts-inspired businesses as well as many restaurants and wineries that host live music. The economic impact study found that:

• 30 to 40 percent of all arts and culture activity is attributable to non-Georgetown residents

• Arts and culture festivals and events attracted over 75,000 visitors each year

• $2.5 million in direct annual economic activity is attributable to non-Georgetown residents

• Approximately $500,000 in City of Georgetown tax revenue is generated annually by the arts and culture sector

The city’s appointed Arts and Culture Board works with nonprofits, artists, business owners, the Main Street program, and the convention and visitors bureau to enhance and promote the arts in Georgetown. Goals of the board include:

• developing a sustainable arts in public places program

• encouraging the development of a thriving arts, cultural, and entertainment district in the downtown

• providing grants to local arts and culture organizations

• improving access to information as well as assisting in the promotion and marketing of local arts and cultural events.

The board is supported by three employees: Eric Lashley, Library Services Director; Amanda Still, Arts and Culture Coordinator; and Lawren Weiss, Administrative Assistant. The Georgetown Public Library was the recipient of the 2018 Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal, the highest honor a library and museum can receive in our nation. One of the many reasons the library was honored was its role as the center for arts and culture in Georgetown, with offerings in art, music, history, architecture, and more. Arts and culture, after all, embrace multiple modes of human expression and communication, just as the written word does. The Georgetown Library’s mission easily extends from making books and information easily available to all citizens to the promotion of art, music, history, theater, and more.

In 2018, the City of Georgetown showed its commitment to arts and culture by investing in an Arts and Culture position. Amanda Still recently joined the team as the Georgetown Arts and Culture Coordinator. Amanda serves as the primary liaison to the city’s Arts and Culture Board and coordinates public art projects including the annual Sculpture Tour that places sculpture around the downtown and beyond. To view the new interactive sculpture tour map, https://arts.georgetown.org/sculpture-tour-map-is-live/. She also manages the arts and culture marketing efforts, and the arts and culture website at arts.georgetown.org, and the Facebook and Instagram accounts for arts and culture in Georgetown. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and a master’s degree in Arts Development and Program Management. She owned and operated a commercial art gallery in Georgetown for four years and served on the Georgetown Arts and Culture Board for two terms.

To learn more about Georgetown’s arts and culture scene, visit the website at https://arts.georgetown.org/ or follow on Facebook at Arts & Culture in Georgetown and on Instagram at Georgetown TX Arts & Culture.