The town of Aquinnah will seek a cultural designation for the area around Aquinnah Circle, including the Gay Head Light, from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which promotes arts, sciences and humanities in the state. Gay Head lighthouse committee member Berta Welch told selectmen on Tuesday that the designation may also include the shops at Aquinnah Circle, the Aquinnah Cultural Center and Moshup Beach. The town may define what constitutes the district, although the state cultural council would need to approve the proposal following a site visit.

The effort began last year with a visit to the Island by cultural council director Anita Walker, who toured the Gay Head Light with lighthouse committee member Len Butler and Nancy Gardella, director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking for the chamber, the lighthouse committee, and also Arts Martha’s Vineyard, which helped establish a cultural district in Vineyard Haven last year, Ms. Gardella told the selectmen that all three groups would work to promote the new district.

Ann Smith, chairman of Arts Martha’s Vineyard, noted that the designation does not necessarily come with any monetary benefits, but that the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism works to promote all cultural districts in the state. “So there are great benefits,” she said. “But it really does come down to the town applying and feeling that it’s worthy for you to do.”

“I think this is a no-brainer,” said selectman Jim Newman.

Ms. Welch said the town could apply jointly with the Wampanoag tribe. “That would be great, because they are a big shareholder in the cliff area and the historic area as well,” she said. Selectman Spencer Booker saw that possibility as “a wonderful example of the tribe and town working together as one.”

In addition to applying to the state cultural council, the town would also need to purchase and install two signs that Ms. Gardella said would total about $140. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and the designation would be valid for five years.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for this community,” Mr. Newman said.