About the Cultural District

The Franklin Cultural District (FCD) is a demarcated region within the Town of Franklin that encompasses the cultural facilities, activities, and assets that lie in a compact, pedestrian friendly area.

Franklin’s vibrant cultural atmosphere is already home to the nation’s first public library, the Franklin Historical Museum, Dean College School of the Arts, a variety of restaurants and shopping, and over 25 other performing, visual arts and dance studios and associations.

Designated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural District delineates a vibrant community filled with culture, activities, events, assets and partner organizations in the arts.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.

[Pictured above: Intermission Cafe, The Franklin Public Library Reading Room and Dean College]