‘Cultural Compact’ signifies collaboration between arts, New Bedford

By Michael Bonner mbonner@s-t.com
Posted Mar 1, 2018 at 7:17 PM
With each signature scribbled onto the four documents within the Ashley Room at City Hall on Thursday night, the spotlight shining on New Bedford’s cultural scene grew brighter.
Mayor Jon Mitchell, Rick Kidder as the co-chair of the Executive Committee of the Seaport Cultural District, Anita Walker of Mass Cultural Council and Nicole Merusi of the New Bedford Cultural Council all signed a Cultural Compact, which is intended to increase and expand collaboration and partnership within the city’s art community.
“We are headlong into efforts to really activate one of New Bedford’s primary assets and that is the collection of artistic and cultural aspects that makes our city really unique,” Mitchell said.
Only six communities in the state were selected to pilot the program, which will develop a framework to spark creative partnerships between local government and cultural leaders within the community.
Walker said applications weren’t taken for the program, rather the Mass Cultural Council selected cities that offered the best opportunity for success.
The city and the Mass Cultural Council have a history of success, Walker said, from the creation of cultural district program to the cultural facilities fund.
“When we start something new, to be honest with you, we don’t want to make it harder than it has to be. We want to make it as easy as it possibly can be,” Walker said. “And the way you do that is you bring a partner that is a proven partner and that we have worked with successfully.”
With the program, Mass Cultural Council intends to provide technical assistance through webinars, podcasts, meetings, training and workshops.
The Cultural Council and Seaport Cultural District will provide programs aimed at increasing artist sustainability, updating the public art inventory, increasing the promotion of current art, music and culture programs as well as developing online resources.
“The Cultural Compact is really putting down on paper and institutionalizing a lot of the things that have been happening here already,” Walker said.
The city began its Arts Culture and Tourism Fund in 2016. State Sen. Mark Montigny led the required passage through the state legislature.
Last year, the relationship between the city and its cultural scene continued with the addition of Margo Saulnier, the city’s cultural coordinator.
Saulnier quoted English playwright Bernard Shaw as he compared his life to a torch that can burn bright for everyone to see.
“The individuals in the creative community and creative economy has already been carrying this splendid torch,” Saulnier said. “So the cultural compact that we’ll be signing and the arts and culture plan that we’re in the early stages of developing will make it bright as possible for the city’s future generations.”
Follow Michael Bonner on Twitter @MikeBBonnerSCT.
Original story here.