Ashfield Town Spectacle
Musicians play outside of Elmer's Store during the Ashfield Fall Festival
Collaborators:
Location:
Ashfield, MassachusettsRegion:
Genre/Discipline:
Community artsPopulation Density:
RuralLarge Intended Impact Area:
Locality/Town/CityFoundations:
The Hess Foundation, The MAP Fund, MCC's Adam's Arts Program, Ashfield Cultural CouncilProject Website:
https://www.arts.gov/exploring-our-town/ashfield-town-spectacleOVERVIEW
The Ashfield Town Spectacle was a project created by the Double Edge Theater in Ashfield, MA to facilitate growth of the creative sector through a Summer Spectacle Performance series, Ashfield Fall Festival, live music and collaboration with local artists, theaters, farms, and streetscapes.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
PROJECT EVALUATION
The project led to increased visibility for farmers, artists, and entrepreneurs and connected the community by allowing people to get to know each other, especially those who were not traditionally involved in the arts. There was report of an increase of self-actualization for youth whose voices were now more prominent in the community along with an increase in volunteerism in the town. As a result of the project there was an increased demand or outdoor site specific spectacle work which had previously only been prominent in the summer. To combat this seasonal issue, a barn was converted into a facility called the Hay Barn design Laboratory. A corporate advisory committee was also formed in order to strengthen connections between farms, local businesses and other ventures. An agricultural advisory committee is also in the process of being formed in order to more tightly bond the arts and agriculture. Visibility for the town of Ashfield and Double Edge Theater was increased on a national level.