El Paso Downtown Cultural District Fbook Version

7/31/2019 El Paso Downtown Cultural District Fbook Version

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6/6/12 The El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The only AmericanAssociation of Museum accredited institution within a 300-mile radius, EPMAs collection span

works from the Italian renaissance to the contemporary. Its permanent collection, travelingexhibitions, classes and public programs draw nearly 70,000 visitors each year.


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6/6/12 Families watch a tap demonstration in Arts Festival Plaza during the 2011 4th KidspaloozaFamily Arts & Music Festival, which drew 20,000 people to the district. Organized by the El Paso

Symphony Orchestra each spring and involving every arts organization downtown, the event hasbecome famous for rows of impromptu stroller parking at every venue.


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6/6/12 Navigating the district off-foot is not difficult2 garages have been constructed within the last 5years joining 2 existing ones. Additionally, a total of 19 bus routes service the district, with 2being free downtown circulators.


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6/6/12 2 examples of successful and careful renovation of historic assets are the Plaza Theatre and itsrecently refurbished neighbor Mills Plaza, both of which are district anchors. Now a performing artscenter with a 45,000 square foot addition, the Plaza Theatre was honored in 2007 with a National

Trust Award for Historic Conservation. Since 2008, it returns to its roots once a year with a 10-dayclassic film festival that has become the worlds largest. The festivals screenings, film talks with


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6/6/12 Individual artists meet to discuss resources from VSA Texas, committed to providing

opportunities for artists with disabilities. Numerous venues in the cultural district, including theMain Branch of the El Paso Public Library and MCAD Offices provide free meeting spaces for


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6/6/12 The Judson F. Williams Convention Center was expanded in 2002 and in 2010 completed

additional upgrades that included ADA amenities and a glass canopy over its plaza withintegrated artwork. Over 411,111 visitors attend the facilitys conventions, trade shows,rf rm n n v n h r.


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6/6/12 A scene from El Paso Operas 2007 production ofAida helps illustrate that each year there areapproximately 21 symphony orchestra and 4 grand opera performances in the cultural district.Each performance can involve up to 100 professional artists and draws audiences fromthroughout the region and northern Mexico. Annually, El Paso arts audiences help drive $25


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6/6/12 The El Paso Museum of History (EPMH) draws nearly 40,000 people a year. Here visitors workon hands-on activities during the exhibition ElHilo de la Memoria: The Threads of Memory.

EPMH was one of only 3 museums in the United States to host this exhibition exploring Spainsrole in the Americas and organized by Spains National Archives of the Indies.


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6/6/12 MCADs robust 2% for Public Art Program integrates art into municipal projects and will likely

complete 4 major projects in the cultural district within the next 4 years. This image showsTucson artist Barbara Grygutis light sculptures Silver Lining installed around the perimeter of


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6/6/12 A wealth of public exhibit and performance spaces throughout the district insure community-

driven programming that reflects the regions diversity and heritage. This image of youngdancers about to perform is from a 2009 Heritage Celebration that commemorated Chinese-Am ri n n ri i n El P hi r n l r .


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6/6/12 Each year, there are approximately 150 open-air concerts throughout the district, providing

opportunities for local artists to perform and activating public spaces. The most popular concertseries, Alfresco! Fridays has seen attendance increase 550% in 6 years to close to 40,000 pern.


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6/6/12 Families get up close and personal with a stegosaurus at Insights El Paso Science Museum.

Insights was one of the first institutions to move into what has become the cultural district, withits current facility opening doors in 1996. Today it welcomes almost 40,000 visitors each year


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6/6/12 Created from a reclaimed blacktop parking lot, Cleveland Square Park has become an importantanchor in the cultural district adjoining both the El Paso Museum of History and the Main Branch

of the El Paso Public Library. It is a popular choice for local festivals and celebrations asdemonstrated by this 2010 image of a mini circus performance by Taos, New Mexico-based


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A local artist at work during the first night of the 2010 Chalk The Block Downtown Public ArtsFestival. Over 90 individual artists participate in the 3-day festival which features live chalking,performances, interactive installations by visiting artists and site-specific commissionedinstallations by local artists. Last year, the event drew 30,000 people to the cultural district andwas recognized by the Texas Downtown Association's "Best Promotional Event" award,recognizing excellence in creation and execution of downtown or commercial district

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