EUREKA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Eureka has a thriving arts community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Eureka had the highest percentage of artists per capita in California and one of the highest in the Western United States in 1990. Author John Villani ranks Eureka #1 in his book "100 of the Best Small Art Towns in America" published by John Muir Publications in 1996. Accordingly, Eureka is gaining recognition as a center for artistic activities. This was most recently demonstrated when the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recognized Humboldt County as one of the premiere art centers among regions of comparable size.

The City of Eureka has a vibrant Art and Culture Commission. This Commission is the driving force behind collaberating with staff and many other arts organizations to encourage Art in Public Places as seen on the new "C Street Market Square". Check out their web site at: http://eureka-art-culture.com/

Duane Flatmo, Artist

There is also broad community support for the arts in Humboldt County. According to a 1990 survey funded by the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies, there are more than 50 non-profit art agencies located in Humboldt County that support, represent, and promote artistic activity.

Eureka has eleven galleries and four museums that showcase the area's numerous local artists and artisans. From the novice to internationally acclaimed, artists of all disciplines enhance the cultural diversity that makes the North Coast an appealing community.

In September, 1994, The Eureka City Council unanimously passed a resolution making the Main Street District a cultural tourist destination and center for the arts by designating it a Cultural Arts Resource District. When combined with the area's rich heritage, natural beauty, easy pace, temperate climate, and moderate cost of living, Eureka becomes an ideal setting for this unique Cultural Arts Resource District. With the inspired realization that the arts and culture tourist represents real potential for economic growth, a vibrant and colorful arts district is emerging, thanks to the following efforts and projects:

• Cultural Arts Resource District designation from the City,

• Design and adoption of a Live-Work ordinance,

• A public mural project,

• A series of "Phantom Galleries",

• A monthly arts event called Arts Alive,

• An association of street artists and performers,

• An ambitious facade grant program,

• A partnership with the Main Street Program on streetscapes and signs,

• Recruitment of artists, and

• An aggressive marketing of the district to arts-based businesses.

From April through September, on the first Saturday of every month, art galleries, Phantom Galleries and "art-friendly" businesses stay open late for the occasion of Arts Alive!.

Arts Alive! revelers are welcomed into each business where coffee, refreshments and wine are served. Drawings and prizes are awarded.

After ordinances altered some building and zoning codes in Eureka, Live-Work space conversions to the vacant second floors of older Eureka buildings were allowed. These units and lofts are less expensive to convert than traditional apartments, and they offer the building owner the incentive of revenue from rents. The concept has helped to revitalize some districts.

The Mural Project began in 1993 with a grant from the California Arts Council. A partnership was created between the business community and at-risk youth who were blamed for the abundant graffiti which defaced the area. Aside from enhancing the district, the mural project has brought two opposing groups into a mutually satisfying partnership, and the youth have learned valuable skills in the start to finish process. None of the murals have been defaced by graffiti and requests for graffiti abatement kits offered by the City have been reduced from approximately 20 a year to zero. The Mural Project has been awarded one of six California Healthy Cities Special Achievement Awards for this innovative and effective program. This is the first time an art project has been awarded this prestigious honor. Newsweek Magazine has recognized Eureka as a "town of murals".