Published: October 16, 2009 10:20 pm      

Allegany Arts Council now pulling double duty

Group promoting Frostburg as well as Cumberland

CUMBERLAND — The effort to spur economic development and community revitalization through the arts isn’t just a Cumberland program anymore with the designation of Frostburg as another arts and entertainment district.

Allegany Arts Council Executive Director Andy Vick wants to bring attention to the new addition and one way to achieve this is through an update of the group’s Web site.

Vick said Frostburg was the only city in Maryland to be designated an arts and entertainment district in the last round. The title was awarded in November but wasn’t official until January.

Frostburg Main Street Manager Maureen Brewer said the designation gives the city another tool when marketing Frostburg as a destination venue.

“We see this designation as another reason to come to Frostburg and showcase the local talent, not only at Frostburg State University, but also the people within the city,” Brewer said. “It’s also increasing traffic in our area, which means more sales at local businesses and recognition of our arts community.”

She said the designation has helped the city partner more with FSU and opportunities to work closely with the Allegany Arts Council.

“We are thrilled to have two designated cities in our county and we are hoping to serve both districts as effectively as possible,” Vick said.

The arts council received a $2,000 technical assistant grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. That grant was matched by the Allegany County Department of Tourism, which had already committed $2,000 to help with Web maintenance through Exclamation Labs.

“We have a new tab on the Web site that says Arts Districts, which gives some general information about the program,” Vick said. “It then has two links for the Frostburg and Cumberland districts. These pages show various attractions, events and a map of the boundaries for the arts and entertainment district.”

Vick said the grant helped to update information for the artist relocation program, real estate, suggested Realtors and press clippings featuring the arts and entertainment program. The council also plans to work with students from FSU to update its Wikipedia page.

“The arts and entertainment district is a true tool for economic development and community revitalization,” he said. “It has already shown how the arts can help invigorate the Cumberland downtown community and it’s all ready to show that in Frostburg as well.”

Vick said it’s a coup for Allegany County to have two designated districts.

“It demonstrates the committent this organization has to multiple municipalities,” he said. “And though they are two separate districts, we are able to leverage support through the other.”

Vick said one way of doing this is through the Arts Walks held in both cities. He said advertising for Cumberland Arts Walks are put in the Frostburg brochures, and vice versa.

“What we’re seeing is people aren’t just staying in Frostburg or Cumberland, they are moving between the communities to enjoy the arts,” he said. “Even though Frostburg and Cumberland are separate arts and entertainment districts, we are trying to link them together and help people realize that one community is just as exciting as the other.”

For more information about the arts and entertainment districts or Allegany Arts Council, log on to www.alleganyartscouncil.org.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.