Why Wheaton Is Designated As An Arts District

By Anna Taft

Just one town over from our very own Kensington, Md., Wheaton is home to a designated Arts and Entertainment district that continues to shape the community through cultural programs and public events. While locals may overlook the title, the designation has brought economic and social benefits to the area by supporting artists, small businesses, and community engagement. 

Wheaton is alongside Bethesda and Silver Spring as one of three Arts and Entertainment Districts in Montgomery County designated by the state of Maryland. The program offers tax incentives designed to encourage economic development and attract artists and art organizations. Benefits include property tax credits for artist spaces and state income tax deductions for artists who live and work within the district. These benefits help create an environment where creative organizations can grow while contributing to the local economy. 

The district hosts a number of annual events that highlight local talent and bring residents together. Events such as Taste of Wheaton and the Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival take place annually, using the Marian Fryer Town Plaza as a gathering space in recent years. Although its name suggests a focus on food, Taste of Wheaton celebrates the community’s diversity through music, dance, and performance. 

Shannon Rush-Locke, a Wheaton resident and the owner of Wheaton Studio of Dance since 2004, said the arts district has created valuable opportunities for artists to connect with the community. “We get to go out and perform for the community,” Rush-Locke said. “Our girls get to march in the parade, and we get to perform in the new town plaza.”

Rush-Locke has been actively involved in district events through the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce and as both a sponsor and participant in the Wheaton Arts Parade. She said the district fosters a strong sense of community pride by showcasing a wide range of cultures and art forms. “We get to see different ethnicities, different genres,” she said. “We’re exposed to not just dance, but singing, dancing, and speaking.”

While the district has expanded opportunities for public performance, Rush-Locke noted there are still challenges. “We don’t have an actual spot where we can say this is a place where people can get together and entertain, like a black box or a theatre per se,” she said. 

Despite these limitations, Rush-Locke said the district’s strongest aspect is its ability to expose residents and visitors to diverse forms of entertainment while bringing the community together for a shared purpose.