A move is afoot to form a state-designated Cultural District in Norfolk through the Connecticut Office of the Arts. An information session is planned for Thursday, Sept. 25, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Norfolk Hub.
The State is encouraging small towns to establish cultural districts, which are defined as walkable, compact areas that are easy for visitors to recognize. They are centers of artistic and economic cultural activities and special places where community members congregate.
In Norfolk such attractions include the Norfolk Library, Norfolk Hub, the Music Shed, Connecticut-Asia Cultural Center, Norfolk Historical Society and Infinity Hall, as well as natural preserves such as Great Mountain and Aton Forests, conservation areas and farms.
Independent artists, artisans, musicians and authors can be highlighted, as can events such as the Haystack Book Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Friday Nights on the Green, the Woodlands Academy and Weekend in Norfolk.
The concept began to form last year, when community members Sue Frisch and Tom Fahsbender discussed it with Rachel Roth from Manor House Inn. Roth then initiated conversations with other community collaborators, including Cheryl Heller, Gary Scheft, Jennifer Almquist, Robert Whipple and Dev Aujla, about supporting cultural initiatives in Norfolk.
After consulting with Steph Burr, executive director of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council—who will conduct the briefing at the September 25th meeting—the group determined that establishing a cultural commission could be the most effective approach to building collaboration among community members, arts and conservation organizations as well as local businesses.
The initial session is an opportunity to learn more, share ideas and help shape the Cultural District proposal to be submitted to the state. All are invited to learn about the opportunity and contribute ideas.
This initial meeting aims to generate community interest and broaden conversations around establishing a cultural commission, which would lead efforts to create a cultural district, the group said in a statement. “The goal is to honor Norfolk’s cultural heritage and environmental legacy while building a dynamic future in which preservation and progress are mutually beneficial,” said Roth.