Pawtucket gets arts district

Mayor James E. Doyle and the
Rhode Island Council on the Arts have designated the downtown and the
area north along the river front as an arts and entertainment district
in the city.
Starting this year writers, composers and artists who live and work in
the district will be entitled to income and sales tax exemptions on
their original, one of a kind works. Sales tax exemptions will also be
available for art galleries that are in the district.
The city’s hope is the incentives will entice artist to move into the
vacant spaces that exist in the old mill buildings and storefronts.
“The generous offer of support from the Arts Council is a great help to
us as we work to get this plan off the ground,” said Doyle. “I’m sure
with their help, the arts district will be an important part of our
downtown and river front revitalization.”