The closest gathering place for artists near my hometown is the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery in Glen Echo Park (Bethesda MD). Glen Echo Park began as a Chautaugua retreat which acted as a sort of of arts center. It then became an amusement park until 1968 when it closed down. The park became super run down and was barely used for a number of years. The only active parts of the park were the Puppet Theatre and the Carousel. As different organizations and donations helped to rebuild the park, it became more active. In 1994, the Yellow Barn was founded in cooporation with the National Park Service and the Glen Echo Partnership for Arts and Culture. The Yellow Barn became a place for artists of all levels to take classes and participate in workshops.
Throughout middle and high school I worked in the studio in order to get into classes for free with other young people. This totally made it possible for young people who couldn't afford or have their parents afford classes to take classes and get instruction.
But this area is far to suburban to be considered an arts district and I wondered what places close by were/are considered arts districts. After searching I found one in Hyattsville, Maryland. It's pretty unnatural and kind of odd. It boasts that it is near the metro and Washington D.C.. It also claims that its homes include environmentally friendly and energy efficient amenities as well as a gallery/art space. But would an artist actually live here? Or be attracted to living here?

http://www.eya.com/Arts_District_Hyattsville
http://www.eya.com/About
http://www.yellowbarnstudio.com/