Cambridge Main Street will be working on putting together a series of projects centered around Creative Placemaking, in an effort to further their revitalization goals for the historic downtown district.
In the 2010 National Endowment for the Arts “Creative Placemaking” text, the term is defined as “… partners from public, private, non-profit, and community sectors strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities. Creative placemaking animates public and private spaces, rejuvenates structures and streetscapes, improves local business viability and public safety, and brings diverse people together to celebrate, inspire, and be inspired.”
Cambridge Main Street has been working to begin a dialogue about “Creative Placemaking” within it’s Streetscape / Green Team discussions. As a part of that discussion, the organization applied for and received a small amount of funds from the City of Cambridge to undertake a couple of small projects. The organization is asking for any interested local area artists to please reach out to volunteer Cami Lewis at or Executive Director, Katie Clendaniel at . The organizers will reach out to area schools to identify youth, and also invite the public to take part in any public projects.
Ideas include building living green walls, alleyway activation, sidewalk and intersection painting projects like those of Portland, OR, adding fun, colorful, functional, and whimsical additions to create public and vibrant spaces that the public wants to spend time in where none existed before.
Lighting installment in Mobile, AL
Our Downtown Lighting Project is another Creative Placemaking project we are undertaking in 2017. Although, significant donations have been made to date at our Annual Spring Fling, additional contributions are needed to fund this project. Donations may be sent to “Cambridge Main Street” 437 Race Street, Cambridge, MD 21613, Attn: Downtown Lighting Project. Or you may make a donation online. Make arrangements for online donations by calling us at 443-477-0843. The project was inspired by a trip to Mobile, AL which began the installment as a seasonal addition to their downtown but has become a permanent addition recently by request. We are working with the City of Cambridge Planning & Zoning departments now to clear the way for the install, hopefully taking place in late 2017.
To read more about Creative Placemaking, check out this link.
