Our goals

Achieve a state cultural district designation. Shortly after the opening of the Welcome Center, and before 2030, Mansfield plans to apply for a state cultural district designation. Not only does this provide enhanced visibility for our entire city, it also provides access to thousands of grant dollars designated specifically for cultural districts.

Attract artists and cultural enterprises to the community. Not only do arts businesses generate direct economic activity with an extremely impressive ROI as evidenced by Mansfield's own Cultural Incubator Program, but artists and creative entrepreneurs infuse communities with energy and innovation.

Encourage business and job development. A thriving cultural scene helps an area to prosper when consumers drawn to cultural attractions patronize other nearby businesses. A 2023 study shows that cultural districts generate more than a 2 to 1 return on investment in state tax revenue.

Establish a tourism destination. Cultural districts are marketable tourism assets that highlight the distinct identity of a community. 1 in 4 visitors in Texas participate in cultural tourism. Arts and culture tourists stay longer, bring more people, and spend more money than non-cultural tourists.

Preserve and reuse historic buildings. The rehabilitation of historic buildings provides opportunities for affordable artist live/work space and new homes for cultural organizations while preserving beautiful spaces and our town's history for future generations.

Enhancing property values. The redevelopment of abandoned properties, historic sites, and recruiting businesses to occupy vacant spaces can contribute to reduced vacancy rates and enhanced property values. Additionally, research shows that nearby cultural amenities can raise local property values by as much as 20%.

Fostering local cultural development. The district will strive to celebrate and strengthen Mansfield's cultural identity by highlighting existing cultural amenities and working to recruit and establish new artists, cultural industries and organizations.

Upcoming Plans

As the district develops, stay tuned for the conversion of the original Mansfield High School into the Mansfield Welcome Center. The space will serve as the eastern gateway to the district, breathing new life into the beautifully preserved building by welcoming all residents and visitors with regular events, shows, classes, art displays, and all the local Mansfield merchandise the heart desires throughout the complex.

Additional upcoming new developments include the Watermill District, a mixed use development in the heart of downtown, new townhomes along Main Street, additions to the linear trail to connect the parks throughout the district and create a walking trail that will span the district from east to west, and further development of Geyer Commons, surrounding the Welcome Center.