Arts and Entertainment Vote for Bradenton as Top Small City for Art

BRADENTON – City officials are asking residents to vote for Bradenton as one of country’s premier publications on the arts. Last year, American Style magazine ranked Bradenton No. 10 in its Top 25 Small Cities for Art, which looked at a city’s public arts and cultural amenities that made the city a nationwide destination. Bradenton ranked 22nd in 2010, the first time it was recognized in the poll. (Follow the link to vote for Bradenton.)

Please ask every person on your email list or at your business to vote,“ said councilwoman Marianne Barneby. ”We need to keep or improve our ranking.“

In 2010, Asheville, N.C., placed first in the small cities category followed by Santa Fe; Gloucester, Mass.; and Saugatuck, Mich. Sarasota and Key West ranked fifth and seventh, respectively.

Bradenton’s multi-year process of developing a cultural master plan has effectively connected the city’s arts and cultural organizations with city and county governments, private business, and the community. This process led to the creation of Realize Bradenton, Inc., a non-profit organization with the mission to develop and promote downtown Bradenton by making it a unique and preferred cultural destination for residents and visitors.

Mayor Poston credited Realize Bradenton and its executive director for helping Bradenton grow.

”Working together works! The citizen-driven cultural master plan established the collaborative framework for programs, projects and promotions to make Bradenton one of the best riverfront communities in the United States,“ said Johnette Isham, Realize Bradenton’s Executive Director. ”The increased ranking with other initiatives such as the Riverwalk, Old Main Street enhancements, public art, and greater visibility of our cultural non-profits are powerful economic development tools to help us attract and retain residents, retirees, artists, designers, businesses, and investors to our community.“

Realize Bradenton’s cultural partners include ArtCenter Manatee, Manatee Players, Manatee Historical Village, South Florida Museum, Village of the Arts, Hernando DeSoto Historical Society and the Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders.