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 Cul-
tural 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 nu-
8 • www.GalleriesArtists.com