Arts Martha's Vineyard

Here is a copy of Arts Martha's Vineyard's Annual Meeting presentation.

Vineyard Haven Named One of America's Twelve Small-Town ArtPlaces

(Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard April 3)
Nancy Gardella, executive director of Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, today announced that the Island town of Vineyard Haven was named one of America's twelve Small-Town ArtPlaces for 2013. This distinction is reserved specifically for small towns with the highest concentrations of arts non-profits, core arts-oriented businesses and workers in creative occupations among smaller towns in America, according to data analyzed by Impresa, Inc., a Portland-based firm specializing in the study of regional economies. Vineyard Haven is one of Martha's Vineyard's six towns and the Island's primary port.

Earlier this year, ArtPlace announced America’s Top Twelve ArtPlaces in major metropolitan areas. ArtPlace felt it equally important to recognize and celebrate dynamic Small-Town ArtPlaces and the unique qualities that make them well worth the journey to explore and enjoy.

"This designation is evidence to Martha's Vineyard's commitment to honor and encourage the arts in all their expressions," said Gardella. 

“Many arts movements have thrived since the inception of Arts Martha’s Vineyard, a collaboration of arts, culture and business, including participation in the Fall for the Arts, Creative Economy Speaker Series, Art Island and other aesthetic initiatives to keep Martha's Vineyard "top of mind" in New England and beyond as a stand-alone arts destination.” said Ann Smith, president of Arts Martha’s Vineyard and director at Featherstone Center for the Arts.  “For example, the Island's ArtsApp Martha's Vineyard is the best way to create one's own arts trail and find Vineyard artists, craftspeople, galleries, museums, art centers, theaters, and concerts.”

ArtPlace is a collaboration of leading national and regional foundations, banks, and federal agencies committed to accelerating creative place-making—putting the arts at the heart of a portfolio of strategies designed to revitalize communities.  

Selection Methodology: The 2013 Top Twelve Small-Town ArtPlaces comprise arts-centric communities in single-town zip codes in non-metropolitan areas and metropolitan areas with a population of 100,000 or less. The selection was based on three factors identified by Impresa Inc. The factors were the per capita numbers of: arts-related non-profits; arts-related businesses; and people working in creative occupations. The scores were normalized on a percentile scale (100 being the highest score and zero the lowest) and multiplied. The towns selected had the highest scores in the country.

The 2013 selections are:

1. Eureka Springs, AR
2. Crested Butte, CO
3. Ketchum, ID
4. Vineyard Haven, MA
5. Boothbay Harbor, ME
6. Lanesboro, MN
7. Highlands, NC
8. Taos, NM
9. Marfa, TX
10. Stowe, VT
11. Eastsound, WA