Bethesda has been named an Arts and Entertainment district, one of the most recent designees of the Smart Growth-Arts and Entertainment District Program. The program, enacted by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2001 legislative session, enables local and county governments to apply for the Arts and Entertainment district designation for areas that are in a Smart Growth Priority Funding area. Maryland is the first state in the country to develop Arts and Entertainment district legislation on a statewide basis.
The Bethesda Urban Partnership's proposal for Bethesda includes plans to revitalize the downtown area with increased housing for artists, a free trolley that will stop at all arts venues, a children's theater and poetry benches. Bethesda's Roundhouse Theater recently opened and the Landmark Theater will open later this year.
Designated districts are exempt from admissions and amusement taxes. Artists working in the designated districts can receive certain income tax breaks. Developers, who create spaces for artists to live and work, can be exempt from paying certain property taxes on the value of the renovations for up to 10 years.
The next application deadline will be October 1, 2002. Applications must be submitted to the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts, an agency of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. The application packets will be available on-line on the Maryland State Arts Council website at www.msac.org. Call Senior Project Coordinator Carol Vitale at 410-767-6299.