Organizations and programming in the cultural district empower residents and visitors to learn about the arts and culture and express themselves creatively. You won't have trouble finding artists in a cultural district. They are ever-present, offering programs, selling products, using studio space, etc. And they aren't working in a silo. Artists and arts and culture organizations partner with others to identify resources that will sustain their work and life in the community, such as small business resources, professional development, access to leadership or special funding.

18,525 creative jobs are in the zip codes surrounding Indiana Cultural Districts. (2019)

Every district has an existing community development plan that includes quality of life goals for those who live and work in or near the cultural district (i.e. access to workspace, housing affordability, access to public transportation, access to groceries, safety, access to a high-quality school, etc.). Community development goals involving the cultural district clearly support the community’s growth and wellbeing in measurable outcomes. An inclusive group of perspectives (i.e. diversity in race, gender, ability, grassroots, leadership, etc.) continually informs community development plans involving a cultural district.

In 2019, Indiana Cultural Districts generated over $600M in creative industry earnings.

Local artists and arts and culture leaders are no strangers to being involved in the ongoing planning and implementation of economic development strategies that impact the local creative ecosystem. History is recognized, embraced, utilized in revitalization goals and efforts. The key to making sure all cylinders are firing together is making sure that the creative ecosystem is working in tandem with local and/or regional tourism. In the zip codes surrounding the Indiana Cultural Districts, there was over $600M in revenue generated by creative industries and over $68M in revenue generated by creative nonprofit organizations.

Local partners keenly plan and tend to the creative people and places that make each district great. This involves intense planning with relevant partners to actively collaborate to move the cultural district's long-range plan forward. The team includes local artists and/or cultural sector leaders, key public, nonprofit and private sector leaders, tourism, community and economic development partners, and others as appropriate.