The Historic North Topeka (NOTO) arts and business district. Near the Kansas River, this area is at the north end of the city’s main downtown corridor and boasts a number of original buildings from Topeka’s earliest days. In the community’s process for determining priorities and strategic planning, Heartland Visioning listened to the community’s desire for an “Arts District.” In a prime example of the leveraging community partnerships the Historic North Topeka district was chosen for NOTO Arts District. The first new business, national known artist, Barbara Waterman Peters moved into Studio 831 in 2010. As of July 2017, the district is thriving with over 40 businesses includes a mix of artists’ studios, antique, vintage, and collectible item shops along with unique places for food and drink including a craft brewery. On a First Friday art walks you will see thousands of visitors strolling the streets, listening to local musicians, while checking out home furnishings or handcrafted local jewelry as well as browsing through antiques and collectibles. Visitors enjoy sipping wine at art galleries, eating from food trucks, and learning about ways to get engaged in the arts at the NOTO Arts Center in the old historic post office. Today, volunteers and district stakeholders are passionate about making NOTO great! #NOTOeverday
