Salisbury, Maryland, known as “The Crossroads of Delmarva,” is a city with great history and a bright economic future. Founded in 1732, Salisbury is the largest city on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and the county seat of Wicomico County. Salisbury is located at the head of the Wicomico River, the navigable waterway that leads to the Chesapeake Bay. The regular visits of the Tugboats and the nearby Salisbury Marina remind us of Salisbury’s beginnings as a river town.

Historic Salisbury

• A Main Street Community.
• Part of the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area.
• Maryland Smart Growth designation.
• Named by the White House as a Preserve America Community.
• Part of an Enterprise Zone.

Downtown Salisbury is a designated Historic District, intended to “safeguard and promote the history and heritage of Salisbury by preserving areas, structures and sites of cultural, social, economic, political, architectural and historical significance.”

Salisbury has a rich cultural history and there is strong business, government and community interest in returning the downtown to its historical prominence as a center of arts and cultural activity.

Arts and Entertainment Districts in Maryland
Maryland is the first state in the country to develop Arts and Entertainment Districts on a statewide basis. Arts and Entertainment Districts further the goals of Smart Growth by locating within a Priority Funding Area and by carefully coordinating with local plans and policies for economic development.

Salisbury’s Arts & Entertainment District (See district map.)
In April 2007, Maryland granted Salisbury an Arts & Entertainment (A&E) District designation, bringing additional tax and financial benefits to certain arts and entertainment related businesses and investments. The A&E designation is another tool to encourage individuals and businesses to become part of the renaissance underway in this charming historic community.

• Central location in Salisbury’s Downtown Historic District.
• Walking distance to the Wicomico Riverwalk and Urban Greenway, the Port of Salisbury, the Newtown Historic District, and nationally recognized Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
• A short drive to Salisbury University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Wor-Wic Community College and award winning Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.
• Artist Registry
• Centralized Events Calendar

Current information indicates that there is approximately 50,000 to 60,000 sq. ft. of commercial space available for sale or lease in downtown Salisbury, much of which is located in charming, architecturally significant buildings. These buildings may be re-purposed potentially be used for housing, studio, exhibition, classroom or performance space, or a combination of these.

The Benefits Offered A&E Districts:

• Property tax credits for new construction or renovation of certain buildings that create live-work space for artists and/or space for arts and entertainment enterprises.
• An income tax subtraction modification for income derived from artistic work sold by “qualifying residing artists.”
• An exemption from the Admissions and Amusement tax levied by an “arts and entertainment enterprise” or “qualifying residing artist” in a district.
• Email us for an application.

Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Management Team
The A&E District Management Team consists of representatives from the Community and local arts organizations. These individuals serve as volunteers because of their love of the downtown area and their recognition of the arts as an essential element of economic revitalization. The Management Team will establish an A&E Advisory Council consisting of a broad range of stakeholders and community leaders who will offer guidance and support to the A&E effort. The Management Team will maintain close coordination with the mayor's office and with other appropriate city and county officials. The A&E District Management Team is an independent committee of Urban Salisbury. The team works in collaboration with the real estate community, businesses within the A&E District, arts organizations, artists and government to promote the A&E District as a center of cultural activities for the region.

Management Team- 2007/2008
Members serve as volunteers.

Spokesperson: Connie Strott, Past President, Urban Salisbury

Members:
Doug Smith (Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council)
Eugenie (Shanie) P. Shields (Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center)
Raymond Vorus (Art Institute & Gallery)
Patricia Vorus (Community Volunteer)
Lee Whaley (Community Volunteer)





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