Carolyn Cole, Program Officer

‘Little darlin’, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. 
Little darlin’, it feels like years since it’s been here. 
Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo… Here comes the sun, and I say’ –
Get out and visit your Cultural Districts!*

Summer is here, and as we kick off another season of heightened tourism, outdoor events, community celebrations and economic boosts through Mass Cultural Council’s 55 state-designated Cultural Districts, we wanted to also mark the Agency’s 10th anniversary of supporting cultural districts.

Established in 2011 by an act of the state Legislature, state-designated cultural districts drive economic growth, strengthen our communities’ distinctive local character, and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors across Massachusetts. And with some of the Commonwealth’s Cultural Districts now exceeding 10 years of designation(!), we can all agree on one thing: They seem to withstand just about anything, as they exist because of the resilient communities they’re meant to celebrate.

Let’s show our local Cultural Districts some love, and spark a little life, and business, and dialogue in these creative spaces for all.

What Cultural District will you visit next?

*With apologies to The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”