Bainbridge Island, Wash. – During this year’s Celebrate Bainbridge Island festivities, Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB) officially launches the Bainbridge Creative District (BCD) with a ribbon-tying ceremony on July 3rd prior to the Bainbridge Downtown Association’s Street Dance commencing at 6 p.m. The ribbon will be tied – not cut – to symbolize the coming together of arts and business in our community. BCD street signs from BCD street signs from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will also be revealed. 

“This is a celebration of what we Islanders have long already known to be true – that this island is a vibrant hub of creative energy, artisans and entrepreneurs,” AHB Board President Linda Semlitz said. 

The Bainbridge Creative District (BCD) is the 11th official creative district in the state as designated by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) in Olympia. The certification signifies the depth and breadth of cultural and creative enterprise that has historically and continues to evolve in downtown Winslow and throughout the island. 

The BCD is roughly a two square mile area in Winslow from the Ferry Terminal in the east to Madison Ave. N. in the west and from Wyatt Way in the north to the city’s Waterfront Trail in the South. Within this area there is an incredible fount of arts and cultural activities like the island’s First Friday Art Walks, Moonlight Markets, theaters, museums, art galleries and artisan shops as well as rich tapestry of food and drink experiences showcasing the island’s culinary arts.

The campaign for a state Certified Creative District, began in 2017 and was spearheaded by Anne Smart, former Executive Director of Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), and involved collaborative participation across multiple organizations, like the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association, Visit Bainbridge, Destination Bainbridge, Multicultural Advisory Council, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, Bainbridge Island Museum of Arts and Bainbridge Performing Arts, city council, and other community members, Smart said.  

With the designation, Winslow is also eligible for financial support and assistance as well as highway signage from the state. 

The opportunities presented by the creative district designation help drive economic growth for the island, arts community, and provide sustainable tourism into the future. Statewide, the creative economy was responsible for bringing in $43.2 billion in 2020 and supported 376,121 jobs, according to ArtsWA. 

“The true power of this special designation is the ability to market our island’s exciting arts community as an incredible destination for our neighbors, other Washingtonians and visitors from throughout the US,” AHB Executive Director Inez Maubane Jones said. “It is an economic benefit that lifts the whole island.” 

In September BCD officials will host the official launch event for the creative district and invite the entire community and visitors to take part in guided walks with BCD Ambassadors along the perimeter with interactive stops at participating locations to enrich the experience.

More updates on the official launch of the BCD will be announced on AHB’s community platform, BainbridgeCurrents.com.

About the Bainbridge Creative District – Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB) is Bainbridge Island’s cultural hub. AHB bridges the arts and business communities by leading the Bainbridge Creative District (BCD) and promoting Bainbridge’s vibrant arts and culture through our online media platform, BainbridgeCurrents.com.  The BCD is co-chaired by AHB and the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce with direction from an executive committee consisting of The Chamber, Visit Bainbridge, Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, the Bainbridge Island Lodging & Hospitality Association, the City of Bainbridge Island’s Multicultural Advisory Council, the Bainbridge Island City Council, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, and Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.  Visit bainbridgecurrents.com/bainbridge-creative-district/ for more information.

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