A cultural district is a well-recognized, mixed-use, compact area of a city in which a high concentration of cultural facilities serves as its anchor. Not larger than one square mile, cultural districts can be found in small communities or as part of urban areas with the potential for one or more cultural and entertainment district.

More than 90 cities in the United States have planned or implemented cultural districts—positioning the arts and culture as the center of revitalization efforts. The impact of cultural districts is measurable. The arts and areas with historic structures attract residents and tourists who also support adjacent businesses such as restaurants, lodging, retail, and entertainment. The presence of the arts and cultural opportunities enhances property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and tax base of the region. These districts attract a diverse and well-educated workforce—a key incentive for new and relocating businesses. And these districts contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community.

The benefits offered to certified districts could include historic tax credits for rehabilitation of historic structures or other incentives that create live/work space for cultural workers, space for cultural enterprises and access to financial assistance programs from state agencies and other funding partners.

Other communities that received cultural district certifications in 2005 include Ames, Fairfield, Keokuk, Marion, Mason City, Waterloo, and the Historic East Village and Court Avenue areas in Des Moines. Those communities joined 14 districts certified in 2004, the first year of the program.