Texas Commission on the Arts Approves Alpine Cultural District
By Tim Roberts
As residents and visitors to the Big Bend, we know the importance of the arts, history, and cultural activities to the tourism industry in the region and to our own enjoyment. As the largest community in the Big Bend, many of these cultural resources are located in the city of Alpine. In 2010, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) took notice of all that Alpine has to offer, and invited the city to apply for a Cultural District designation. A cultural district is a well-recognized, labeled, mixed-use area of a community in which a high concentration of cultural facilities serves as the anchor of attraction. The TCA is authorized to designate Cultural Districts in communities across Texas.
Within Alpine, the core areas of cultural offerings include several blocks in the downtown area; Sul Ross State University; and Kokernot Park. All three of these areas were incorporated into the proposed Alpine Cultural District. After preparing a lengthy application, and with the support of City and County officials, the Chamber of Commerce, and numerous area businesses and individuals, the application was submitted to the TCA for consideration. Following the recommendations of external reviewers, the TCA voted in September 2011 to designate the ‘Alpine Cultural District’.
Alpine, and the surrounding area, will benefit from considerable publicity of the Alpine Cultural District, with special highway signage, and advertising through other forms of media. The city will also be eligible to apply for certain grant funding provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Tim Roberts has served as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Cultural Resources Coordinator in west Texas for the past 11 years. He is also an artist, and is just completing his term as President of the Big Bend Arts Council. He and his wife, Karen Little, reside in Fort Davis.
As residents and visitors to the Big Bend, we know the importance of the arts, history, and cultural activities to the tourism industry in the region and to our own enjoyment. As the largest community in the Big Bend, many of these cultural resources are located in the city of Alpine. In 2010, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) took notice of all that Alpine has to offer, and invited the city to apply for a Cultural District designation. A cultural district is a well-recognized, labeled, mixed-use area of a community in which a high concentration of cultural facilities serves as the anchor of attraction. The TCA is authorized to designate Cultural Districts in communities across Texas.
Within Alpine, the core areas of cultural offerings include several blocks in the downtown area; Sul Ross State University; and Kokernot Park. All three of these areas were incorporated into the proposed Alpine Cultural District. After preparing a lengthy application, and with the support of City and County officials, the Chamber of Commerce, and numerous area businesses and individuals, the application was submitted to the TCA for consideration. Following the recommendations of external reviewers, the TCA voted in September 2011 to designate the ‘Alpine Cultural District’.
Alpine, and the surrounding area, will benefit from considerable publicity of the Alpine Cultural District, with special highway signage, and advertising through other forms of media. The city will also be eligible to apply for certain grant funding provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Tim Roberts has served as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Cultural Resources Coordinator in west Texas for the past 11 years. He is also an artist, and is just completing his term as President of the Big Bend Arts Council. He and his wife, Karen Little, reside in Fort Davis.
