LUFKIN, TEXAS: The one-year planning initiative to ascertain readiness and ability to achieve a state designated cultural district for Downtown Lufkin begins next week with two meetings with the project’s advisory committee:

Friday, January 22 (3–5 PM) Pines Theater (in-person observing COVID protocols)

Monday, January 25 (3–5 PM) Via Zoom (meeting link to be provided to participants)

Members of the press are invited and encouraged to participate and observe.

Angelina Arts, in partnership with the City of Lufkin, serves as principal collaborator in leading the meeting of the 40 plus member advisory committee that was formed in December of 2020.

“We are so excited continue our Cultural District planning process,” stated Allen. “Over the next few months, we will be learning about cultural districts, including speaking with successful cultural districts from around the nation, and shaping the future direction of arts and culture in not only Lufkin, but our surrounding region.”

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About State Designated Cultural Districts: As authorized by House Bill 2208 of the 79th Legislature, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) can designate cultural districts in cities across Texas. Cultural districts are special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization. These districts can become focal points for generating businesses, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural development and fostering civic pride. The goals of cultural districts are attracting artists and cultural enterprises to the community, encouraging business and job development, addressing specific needs of a community, establishing tourism destinations, preserving and reusing historic buildings, enhancing property values and fostering local cultural development.