Hyannis HyArts Cultural District
Located in the thriving Cape Cod seaside village of Hyannis, the HyArts Cultural District provides a wide array of arts and cultural experiences with outdoor activities, self-guided walking trails, museums, galleries, community art spaces, public art, shopping, dining, live music, festivals and so much more. Everything to have art-full days, year-round!
Welcome to the Hyannis HyArts Cultural District
Public Restroom HOURS: Labor Day to December 31: 9:00am to 7:00pm CLOSED: January 1 until April, always the Friday of Patriot’s Day weekend. From April (Patriot’s Day) until June 30, OPEN 9 :00am - 7:00pm. OPEN 9:00am -9:00pm, July 1st through Labor Day.
THINGS TO DO
TIMELINE - Hyannis HyArts Cultural District
Recognizing the importance of the arts in a vibrant community, the Town of Barnstable has partnered with many local and regional arts organizations to enhance and enrich the quality of life for residents and visitors by coordinating and supporting activities promoting arts and culture.
2005
HyArts Artist Shanties, Bismore Park
Seven artist shanties were constructed on the harbor front. These shanties offer local artists an affordable location to create and sell their work in a beautiful and highly visible location.
2007
HyArts Campus
Two homes were purchased on Pearl Street, adjacent to Main Street, and renovated by the Town into artist live/work and shared studio/gallery space. These properties encompass the backbone of the downtown arts district. The campus includes the Guyer Barn, a year-round community art space, working artist studio and professional artist gallery supporting and promoting the arts through exhibits, education, and performances.
2012
Hyannis HyArts Cultural District
Official state designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The first cultural district designated on Cape Cod and the sixth in the state to be named. The concentration of cultural, economic and historic resources coupled with a strong community commitment to further enhance the vitality of the area.
2012
Kennedy Legacy Walking Trail
Creation of a self-guided 1.6 mile walking trail in downtown Hyannis. At each of the 10 sites, an informational sign, and links to video information, uncovers stories & history about the Kennedys on Cape Cod.
2014
Barnstable Village Cultural District Official state designation from the Massachusetts Cultural Council
At this time, one of only two towns in Massachusetts to have two state-designated cultural districts. BVCD is a 21st-century town with a historic twist. Partners with Hyannis HyArts Cultural District to support and promote arts and cultural activities in both villages and in all seven villages in town.
2017
State re-designation of Hyannis HyArts Cultural District
2018
HyArts Artist Shanties, Harbor Overlook
Additional shanties placed along the Walkway-to-the-Sea, overlooking Hyannis Harbor. More opportunities at a prime venue for artists to improve business, marketing, and selling skills.
Main Street Heritage Info Kiosks
Seven navigational / heritage kiosks are placed along Main Street to Hyannis Harbor. Each tells the story of Hyannis, past and current with a maps and a “heritage panel” with facts about industry, architecture, history, and notable residents, The project was a partnership of the Hyannis Rotary, Hyannis Main Street BID, The Design Initiative and Town of Barnstable.
2019
State re-designation of Barnstable Village Cultural District
A strong creative economy provides the opportunity to capitalize upon regional dollars with an area unified and transformed into a distinct arts destination. This cultural district continues to increase the value of the arts in the community through the cultivation of diverse new audiences and keeps consumers coming back throughout the year. District branding and cultural activities such as historic walking and art gallery tours, artist shanties and work studios, classes, workshops, and exhibits serve to attract visitors to the area.
Beyond HyArts
Hyannis is the largest of seven thriving villages that make up the Town of Barnstable, one of the fifteen towns on Cape Cod.
The Hyannis HyArts Cultural District supports and promotes the venues and events that showcase the talent and creativity of our sister villages and the extended Cape Cod arts community.
Massachusetts Cultural Districts
In recognition of the importance of arts and culture, an act of the Massachusetts state legislature in 2010 created a process to designate local “cultural districts” throughout our commonwealth. With applications initiated by local communities, these areas are reviewed and determined under guidelines of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Hyannis HyArts Cultural District was the first to be named on Cape Cod and the sixth in the state in 2012. And, at the time Barnstable Village Cultural District was named in 2014, the Town of Barnstable was only one of two town’s to have two state designated cultural districts. In 2021, there are 50 designated Cultural Districts in Massachusetts, which includes 9 on Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.