Bainbridge Creative District (BCD) is the 11th creative district in the state. These special creative
neighborhoods offer communities more resources for enhancing and promoting all the artistic
endeavors within the designated area.

AHB received news of the official designation on October 8 from the Washington State Arts
Commission (ArtsWa) located in Olympia. AHB is eager to showcase the Winslow district’s
existing creativity and add new artistic ventures.

“This exciting designation will do much to support the variety of creatives on Bainbridge Island,
to encourage tourism and support local businesses” Linda Semlitz, AHB Chair of Board of
Directors said. “AHB is proud to lead this collaborative endeavor.”

Winslow features a strong presence of art galleries, First Friday Art Walks, Moonlight Markets,
theatres, museums, outstanding restaurants, wineries, coffee shops, and more.

Designating Winslow as a Certified Creative District (CCD) has long been a passion of Anne
Smart’s, a member of the AHB-run Public Art Committee and AHB Advisory Board and former
executive director of AHB.

“From its inception in 2017, ArtsWa based the model for Creative Districts on Colorado’s, which
now hosts 26 CCDs. As soon as I read about Creative Districts in Washington, I knew Bainbridge
Island was a fit for this designation. It has taken 5 years,” said Anne Smart, Bainbridge Certified
Creative District Chair. “But with overwhelming support from the community and cultural sector
we now have the BCD and the exciting opportunities it will bring to our community.”

With the official October 8 designation from ArtsWa, Winslow is eligible for financial support,
assistance for marketing efforts, highway signage with Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT) for visitors to find the district, and other funding and leadership
opportunities. One of ArtsWa’s goals is to support communities that connect arts and culture to
economic development.

Downtown will be announcing the new designation as a creative district at the Moonlight
Market, to be held on November 5 from 5PM to 9PM during the First Friday Art Walk. More
updates on the official launch of the BCD will be announced on AHB’s community platform,
Bainbridgecurrents.com.