AHA! 10: Revitalizing a City Through Art
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Some may think it’s a utopian ideal that art and culture could revitalize a city:
Not New Bedford.

One Thursday a month for the past 10 years, AHA!—an acronym for Art, History and Architecture— has generated energy and vitality in the city center and made New Bedford a Southern New England destination.

The FREE Arts and Culture Night is a collaborative downtown initiative that was started by the city in July 1999.

Since then, the cultural organization has brought thousands of people to the cobblestone streets of historic downtown New Bedford to enjoy art, live music, lectures, films, walking tours, kids’ activities and entertainment on the waterfront.

“AHA! has played an important role in New Bedford's ever-growing creative economy and has  been a key partner in the continued revitalization of the city's downtown,” said New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang.

“AHA! is regarded as a model program that Massachusetts' communities can emulate to stimulate their local economy, tourism, and the arts,” Lang said.

“New Bedford has become a regional destination for art, music and entertainment every second Thursday, and once visitors experience an AHA! night, they almost always return again to explore many more of the great things our city has to offer.”

AHA’s initial goals were to invigorate downtown New Bedford’s cultural scene, spur tourism, contribute to the city’s economy, and brand downtown New Bedford as a cultural destination— not unlike an urban downtown of generations past.

A decade later, AHA! has accomplished its goals and then some. The numbers tell the story:

• AHA! started with 14 business partners in 1999; today, they have over 60.
• The UMass Dartmouth Center for Policy Analysis found AHA! directly and indirectly pumps $500,000 annually into the New Bedford economy, based on 2007 numbers. (That number rose 96 percent between 2000 and 2007.)
• Organizers estimate some 2,000 to 3,000 people show up for the event each month, many of them newcomers.

“AHA! is the epitome of the art and culture renaissance that has taken place in New Bedford,” said Senator Mark Montigny, a longtime champion of economic development in downtown New Bedford.  

“At a time when our economy is struggling, AHA! is bringing people together, supporting the creative economy, and generating economic activity downtown.”

AHA! program director Lee Heald added that AHA! has thrived even in the downturn of the economy: “We are all challenged in this economy, but AHA! really is one of the great hidden ‘staycations’ in the SouthCoast,” Heald said. “It only looks to grow in the future, as more people turn to their own backyard to find affordable entertainment in these tough economic times.

“The artists, musicians, performers, craftspeople, storytellers, winemakers, chefs, small business owners, folklorists and historians—all rich with clever and resourceful energy—make this unique port city shine and are leaders in New Bedford’s Creative Economy,” Heald said.
AHA! is funded largely by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

“AHA!’s work in New Bedford stands as a national model in the use of the arts and culture to revitalize a community,” said Anita Walker, MCC’s Executive Director.

“We are proud to be a longstanding supporter of AHA!, and are grateful for the support of the New Bedford delegation to the Legislature for giving us the resources to continue that support,” Walker said.

You can also help AHA! grow by attending “The Creatives Party” on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Meditech Southcoast, 101 Maritime St., Fall River.

This is a chance to view 440 works of 50 artists from New Bedford to Providence. There will be an open bar, wine tasting form Running Brook in Dartmouth and hor d’ourves from Lees Market and Cardozas Emporium. Tickets are $75 per person.

AHA! Takes place the second Thursday of each month.

All activities are FREE and open to the public. For more information call 508-996-8253 x205 or visit www.ahanewbedford.org.

Directions: From I-195 E or W. Take Exit 15 (Rte. 18). Follow Rte 18 to 2nd traffic signal; take a right onto Union St. At the first traffic signal take a right onto Second Street and take your first left for parking in Custom House Square or continue on two blocks to the Elm Street garage. On-street parking also available for free after 6 p.m.
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