More than 50 community members joined us on Wednesday, November 5th, 6pm at TCMoFA.
This event featured a short talk and Q&A from DOCD organizers on upcoming district projects followed by a presentation from Evan Horback of ACE Strategies on Creative Commons: sparking connection, expanding belonging, and uncovering new ways to grow a vibrant downtown Olympia community.
We'll be sharing more information and opportunities to get involved with DOCD soon! If you're interested in learning more, please email info@olympiacreativedistrict.org.
The 30 blocks of the Downtown Olympia Creative District include a mix of creative businesses from curated retail spaces, award-winning local breweries and coffee shops (and roasters!), and arts organizations, many housed in former warehouses and industrial structures.
Downtown is home to several independent theaters including the historic Capitol Theater, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Harlequin Productions, and several all ages and 21+ venues that host live theater productions, music, comedy, and even aerial performances.
The Creative District features more than 70 large murals that celebrate a long legacy of visual art in our downtown, dozens of hosted art installations (including sculptures and statuary), two growing museums, and many rotating public art installations that feature our local artists.
Many of the district’s spaces are warehouses, older industrial or historic buildings repurposed for creative uses. For example, the Olympia Armory Creative Campus is a project converting a historic armory into multi-use arts space.
Having a defined creative district means there is dedicated support, visible place-making, infrastructure (studio space, maker space, performance venues), and a community of peers to further the goals our local artists and creative businesses.
Including the Armory and more of downtown in the new DOCD.
The DOCD Project Manger led the 2024 redistricting process which looped several other landmark places (and businesses) downtown into the Creative District, including the new Olympia Armory, the Olympia Farmers Market, and Percival Landing.