Manchester Receives Arts & Culural District Designation!

 Cultural Districts are walkable areas of a city or town that feature numerous cultural facilities, activities and/or assets. These vibrant areas draw visitors from other towns and states and serve as a hub for residents to congregate and interact. Cultural districts:

● Promote and encourage artists, entrepreneurs, and creative businesses

● Promote tourism and increase visitation

● Improve the quality of life for residents

● Strengthen distinctive character of communities

● Drive economic growth and expand the tax base

● Highlight local culture and history

A requirement of the program is the city or town must establish a Cultural District Commission that manages all aspects of the district. Manchester has created the Art & Culture Committee under the long-established Manchester Arts Commission.

Manchester’s Cultural District offers two unique exploration paths. The North/South path begins at Center Springs Park and leads to the Lutz Children’s Museum along Main Street. Along this route, visitors will encounter landmarks like the Elks Club, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Army & Navy Club, and the Mary Cheney Library. WORK_SPACE, a multifunctional coworking, meeting, and gallery space owned by the town, adds a modern touch to the historical journey. The path includes local businesses, such as a tattoo and art gallery, coffee and ice cream shops, a brewery, and an array of retail stores and restaurants. This path also traverses the Central Business District, part of which benefits from being designated as an Opportunity Zone, promising growth and revitalization.

The East/West path offers a different flavor, starting from Charter Oak Park, known for its Rotary Music Garden, playground, and connection to the Charter Oak Greenway, stretching all the way to the Cheney Brothers Historic District. This path includes cultural landmarks like the Manchester Historical Society, Old Manchester Museum, and Labyrinth Brewing, and culminates at the Mahoney Center, home to the Culture and Leisure Labs. Downtown Manchester is also the stage for various annual events that bring the community together, such as the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving Day, Cruisin’ on Main Car Show, Silk City Fest, Christmas Tree Lighting, and the monthly 2nd Saturday Downtown Open House, featuring performances by Imagine Manchester buskers and a vendor pop-up at the Firestone Studio and Café.

These paths not only highlight Manchester's rich heritage and cultural assets but also its ongoing commitment to community engagement and cultural celebration.

“Manchester’s cultural district is twice the fun – it is literally two districts in one! Come to Manchester and bring your family. Great restaurants, very accessible and kid-friendly art galleries, restaurants and museums, plus a Children’s Museum with live animals! We’re excited to promote the natural vibrancy of this historic cultural destination,” said Liz Shapiro, DECD’s Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums.