About the Franklin Cultural District

Our Mission

To enrich and inspire our residents and visitors by fostering a wealth of diverse local cultural, artistic, culinary and historical preservation activities that are aligned with our partners, becoming a hub for cultural and economic activity throughout the Cultural District and Franklin.

Designated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural District delineates a vibrant, walkable community filled with culture, activities, events, assets and partner organizations in the arts. This hard-earned recognition is both a celebration and “...a major economic boost for the Town of Franklin,” according to Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin).

The Franklin Cultural District designation comes as part of the Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Districts Initiative. This campaign grew out of an economic stimulus bill passed by the MA state legislature in 2010. In January 2019, Franklin became the 46th Cultural District in the state, after a unanimous vote by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency supporting the arts, sciences and humanities to improve the quality of life in Massachusetts through grants and support services. The Franklin Cultural District became a reality after a multi-year effort by the Town of Franklin and a dedicated committee of citizen arts advocates and cultural organization partners.

Today, the Cultural District is managed by the Franklin Cultural District Committee, an official Town Committee, who markets the District and helps to organize cross-partner efforts and events. The purpose of the District is to attract artists and cultural enterprises, encourage business development and job growth, expand tourism, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values, and foster local cultural development.