The Massachusetts Cultural Council Honors the “Creative Community” of Barnstable

This Spring, the Town of Barnstable received the Commonwealth Award given by the Massachusetts Cultural Council in recognition of being a "Creative Community." The award was presented by State Senator Dan Wolf during a ceremony at the State House in Boston.

This award recognizes the long-standing commitment many have made to making arts and culture part of the economic engine in Barnstable. The HyArts Cultural District, the Kennedy Legacy Trail, Summer Concert Series, the Guyer Barn, Pearl Street artist studios and artist-in-residence all contributed to this recognition.

Town Manager Tom Lynch was joined on stage at the awards ceremony by Growth Management Director Jo Anne Miller Buntich, Community Services Director Lynne Poyant, Arts and Culture Coordinator Melissa Hersh and Channel 18 Producer and Host of Barnstable This Morning Sarah Colvin, along with Shirlee Oakley from his office and his granddaughter, singer and musician, Ella J. Hunt.

Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Howard, Executive Director of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, Bob Nash, Director and Lauren Wolk, Associate Director of the Cultural Center of Cape Cod were also in Boston to celebrate this event.

Hyannis is “Cape Cod's Downtown,” serving as the regional transportation, jobs, service and commerce center for all of the Cape. The Main Street and Harbor areas include a concentration of cultural attractions - museums, performing arts space, studios, and galleries, unique locally-owned shops and restaurants.

In recent years, streetscape improvements have knit together these unique sites and features visually, and are designed to reflect the maritime heritage of the village as they enhance the walkable, pedestrian-oriented environment.

The "Walkway to the Sea" guides visitors between Main Street and around Hyannis Harbor. A new linear park, the Kennedy Legacy Trail, attracted several thousand visitors last season. These public infrastructure investments reflect the ongoing commitment to the revitalization of downtown Hyannis.

These investments, accompanied by private investment and support from the business and arts communities, make Hyannis one of Cape Cod's most unique cultural destinations - a sustainable, livable community enhanced by a growing creative economy and a distinctive sense of place.

Last year, the Town of Barnstable was delighted to receive Cape Cod's first designation as a Cultural District. The Hyannis HyArts Cultural District focuses the Town and its partners on the common goals to attract artists, cultural and creative enterprises; encourage business and job retention and creation; further establish the district as a tourist destination; preserve and reuse historic buildings; enhance property values; and foster local cultural development.

The honoring of the town with the “Creative Community” award validates the work already accomplished, and encourages further cultural development and investment within our community.

For more information about the MCC’s Commonwealth Awards click here: http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/conference/comawards.asp

To learn more about the HyArts Cultural District visit www.hyartsdistrict.com

Click here for Spring Classes at the Hyannis Harbor Arts Center at Guyer Barn

Click here for the HyArts Shanties

Click here to learn about the Walkway to the Sea