Bluffton paints itself as a center for the arts in seeking cultural district designation

If you live in Bluffton, you know the town has a funky, artsy side. Soon the state could officially recognize that as well.

A local group, with support from town officials and staff, is pushing for an area in Bluffton to be designated a cultural district by the South Carolina Arts Commission.

"One of the things that all of us in Bluffton have realized is that the town has been a center of cultural expression for decades," local artist Judy McElynn said earlier this week. "By creating a cultural district, the state can give us more credibility and visibility."

McElynn, a painter whose work is on display at Old Town's Maye River Gallery, serves as co-chair of the Bluffton Creative Initiative, a group working to make the case for the designation to the state.

"The state has recognized that art is an economic engine," McElynn said, "and that's definitely the case in Bluffton. (The cultural district designation) would help spread the word that the town is place full of fun art and friendly people."

The proposed district would stretch roughly from Bluffton Village south to the May River, and from Cahill's Market east to Burnt Church Road.

"It's a little bit larger than Old Town. We are trying to capitalize on some of our resources and assets that sit just outside of Old Town's edge," Shawn Leininger, the town's director of growth management, said.

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That area in and around Old Town features several art galleries and shops, performing arts spaces such as the May River Theatre and venues for live music along the Promenade.

The state passed a law allowing the establishment of cultural districts in 2014.

Since then, districts have been recognized in Rock Hill, Lancaster and Spartanburg.

Officials from the state arts commission toured Bluffton in July.

"They were very impressed and encouraged us to keep working," Doreen Baumann, Bluffton Creative Initiative co-chair, said Thursday.

Leininger said town council will likely vote on a resolution authorizing submission of the application to the arts commission next month. If that passes, an application could be sent to the state as soon as November.

Other than staff time, the town has not put any resources into the project, he said.

But that could change if the cultural district designation is approved.

At that point, the town council could decide to invest in things like public art installations and new signs pointing visitors in the direction of cultural landmarks, Leininger said.

While the state art commission doesn't provide funding for cultural districts, those towns are often highlighted in marketing materials used to promote cultural tourism.

McElynn said a stamp of approval from the state could also help the town attract resources from private groups who supports the arts.

Follow reporter Lucas High on Twitter at twitter.com/IPBG_Lucas.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 8:40 AM with the headline "Bluffton paints itself as a center for the arts in seeking cultural district designation."