Cultural Economic Development

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What is Cultural Economic Development?

ACT Roxbury, The cultural economic development program of Madison Park Development Corporation uses arts & culture a to foster the physical, economic and social revitalization of Roxbury, the predominantly African-American community of Boston, Massachusetts. Cultural economic development is: Moving dollars through the community. Let’s take our signature event, The Roxbury Film Festival: Celebrating the Vision and the Voice of New England Filmmakers of Color. To hold the film festival we: Hire a coordinator, marketing/public-relations team, and graphic designer – most of whom live in Roxbury. Rent screening venues (each in Roxbury) Pay for film technicians and security guards. Print posters, brochures, & save-the-date postcards using Roxbury vendors when possible. Purchase t-shirts and award plaques (using a Roxbury-based company). Use local Post Office, Fed Ex and Courier Services to ship collateral materials and films. Use nearest copy center to copy materials. Bought refreshments from local restaurants for planning meetings. Hire local caterer to provide food for community reception. Showcase local restaurant for closing ceremony. (Mississippi’s donates food and staff for RFF). Pay for newspaper and radio ads (in Roxbury and Greater Boston markets). Purchase copy paper and other supplies (from local vendors when possible). Purchase air and train tickets. Pay for hotel rooms (including one Roxbury hotel.) Pay stipends to planning committee members.   Creating Jobs: Hired a development consultant to raise funds for RFF and other ACT events. Are in the process of completing a staffing plan to create permanent positions at the Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall that will open January 05. Staff will include a facilities manager, maintenance worker, box office staff, building concierge, receptionist, and programs coordinator. Reclaiming and rehabilitating an abandoned building for cultural economic enterprise: ACT Roxbury will move its offices into the Roxbury Center for Arts at Hibernian Hall in January 05. We will hold much of our programming in the two-story ballroom. Two of our collaborators, The Color of Film Collaborative and Discover Roxbury, will have space in our offices. Madison Park Development Corporation purchased the former Hibernian Hall at 184 Dudley Street in 2000. Built in 1913 by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Hibernian Hall served as a center for community culture for more than half a century. The stately four-story, 28,000 square foot building is structurally sound and is recognized for its importance to the city. Prior to its acquisition by MPDC, it was among the most endangered buildings in the city, according to Historic Boston, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to saving historic buildings. Because of its importance in the community, the building is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Madison Park Development Corporation and New Atlantic Development, a private company with a commitment to neighborhood revitalization, are redeveloping this building. Internal demolition is complete. The small back structure will be demolished to make way for parking and a park. The community has been involved in Visioning and park/playground planning sessions over the past three years. The ground floor will be renovated to provide approximately 6,000 square feet of rental space for galleries, shops, and a restaurant/café. The original storefronts will be restored to create a welcoming facade, inviting visitors to browse the galleries and retail areas. The second floor and the front bays of both the third and fourth floors will be renovated and made available as office/studio space. The grand, two-story space at the top of the building will be restored and operated as a venue for community gatherings, dance and theater performances, poetry readings, film screenings, rehearsals, meetings, and exhibits. This “auditorium” will feature a permanent stage and will be able to accommodate a theater audience of 350 people, making it ideal as a regional cultural center. It will have flexible seating to accommodate many types of events. A full kitchen will be proximate to the auditorium, thereby supporting catered events. The basement will be renovated and made available for rent as workshop, studio, or office space. The entire building will be accessible to all (an elevator is being installed). The area outside of the building will feature a public park, permanent artwork, and a public performance space. The first floor building will feature a permanent exhibit featuring Roxbury’s Irish Heritage, Hibernian Hall’s history, and the building’s role as a community cultural center. The exhibit will affirm the importance of celebrating cultural heritage and sharing it with future generations. Creating programs that reflect Community and Cultural Pride: ACT Roxbury’s programs are a counterpoint to the negative images of Roxbury so prevalent in the press (especially television). Our programs include The Roxbury Arts Series, the Danette Jones Business of Culture Series, the Roxbury Is Rich Holiday Shopping Guide, Discover Roxbury Tours (in partnership with the Bridges Program) and special arts events. People who attend ACT-sponsored and ACT-collaborative events SPEND MONEY in Roxbury on the day of the event and then go back to the restaurants, stores, institutions they’ve visited. They also hire the caterers, graphic artists, publicists that we use, often for the first time through our referral! Building audiences: for individual artists, cultural businesses and organizations, and other businesses both within and surrounding the community of Roxbury. Our collaboration with the Bridges Program on Discover Roxbury tours is a consistent way we do this. The tours come to ACT Roxbury events, visit museums, historical sites, galleries, businesses and restaurants. Increase sales and other opportunities: Visual artists sell their art through such events as Roxbury Open Studios and the art tours. Artists are invited to do workshops with students, join other exhibits and craft fairs, etc. Filmmakers are invited to show films at other festivals, etc. (One Roxbury filmmaker received the prestigious Rockefeller Foundation Media Arts Fellowship for Emerging Artists– she was nominated by the director of ACT Roxbury.) All ACT artist members are informed weekly about grants, exhibits, and jobs through email notices. None of this is possible without COLLABORATION! Collaborations among Roxbury and Greater Boston artists, cultural institutions, businesses, community and suburban organizations, and large institutions, individuals, and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who has helped. Roxbury is Rich! Candelaria N. Silva Director