El Paso Downtown Cultural District

8/6/2019 El Paso Downtown Cultural District

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Partners at the Department of Planning & Economic Development have contracted Austin-based wayfinding and

environmental graphics firm fd2s to analyze pedestrian corridors downtown and develop wayfinding components

(kiosks, directional signage markers) with QR coding that can be scanned by smartphones and tablets to make navigating

downtown easier for visitors. The cultural district, with its 1.5 million annual visitors, will see implementation first.



The El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The only American Association of Museum

accredited institution within a 300-mile radius, EPMAs collection span works from the Italian renaissance to the

contemporary. Its permanent collection, traveling exhibitions, classes and public programs draw nearly 100,000 visitorseach year.



Families watch a tap demonstration in Arts Festival Plaza during the 2011 4th Kidspalooza Family 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 has become famous for rows of impromptu stroller parking at every venue.



Navigating the district off-foot is not difficult2 garages have been constructed within the last 5 years joining 2 existing

ones. Additionally, a total of 19 bus routes service the district, with 2 being free downtown circulators. And pedi-cabs

also service downtownparticularly during festivals.



2 examples of successful and careful renovation of historic assets are the Plaza Theatre and its recently refurbished neighbor

Mills Plaza, both of which are district anchors. Now a performing arts center 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-day classic film festival that has become the worlds largest. The festivals screenings, film talks with scholars,filmmakers and Hollywood legends like Debbie Reynolds are the reasons that last years program drew 37,000 visitors.



Individual artists meet to discuss resources from VSA Texas, committed to providing opportunities for artists with

disabilities. Numerous venues in the cultural district, including the Main Branch of the El Paso Public Library and MCADOffices provide free meeting spaces for community arts groups and organizations throughout the year.



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 with integrated artwork. Over 411,111 visitors attend thefacilitys conventions, trade shows, performances and events each year.



A scene from El Paso Operas 2007 production of Aida helps illustrate that each year there are approximately 21

symphony orchestra and 4 grand opera performances in the cultural district. Each performance can involve up to 100

professional artists and draws audiences from throughout the region and northern Mexico. Annually, El Paso artsaudiences help drive $25 million in local restaurant and bar revenue alone.



The El Paso Museum of History (EPMH) draws 60,000 people a year. Here visitors work on hands-on activities during the

exhibition El Hi lo de l a Memor ia: The Thr eads of Memory . EPMH was one of only 3 museums in the United States to

host this exhibition exploring Spains role in the Americas and organized by Spains National Archives of the Indies.



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 shows Tucson artist Barbara Grygutis light sculptures Si lv er Lining installed around the perimeter of the Abraham Chavez Theatre.



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 young dancers about to perform is from a 2009 HeritageCelebration that commemorated Chinese-American contributions to El Pasos history and culture.



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 concert series, Alfresco! Fridays has seen attendance increase

550% in 6 years to close to 40,000 per season.



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, with its current facility opening doors in 1996. Today itwelcomes almost 40,000 visitors each year with its interactive exhibits and programs.



Created from a reclaimed blacktop parking lot, Cleveland Square Park has become an important anchor 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 as demonstrated by this 2010 image of a mini circus performance by Taos, NewMexico-based aerialist troupe WiseFool.



A local artist at work during the first night of the 2010 Chalk The Block Downtown Public Arts Festival. Over 90 individual

artists participate in the 3-day festival which features live chalking, performances, interactive installations by visiting

artists and site-specific commissioned installations by local artists. Last year, the event drew 25,000 people to the

cultural district and was recognized by the Texas Downtown Association's "Best Promotional Event" award, recognizing

excellence in creation and execution of downtown or commercial district promotional events.

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El Paso Downtown Cultural District