“Hip” is not a word that normally comes to mind when you think of Bath, but one thing that Bath does have in common with so-called “hipster” culture is the strong do-it-yourself ethos and entrepreneurial spirit with which people approach the arts and entertainment.

Officially, Bath’s nightlife is supplied by a dozen or so restaurants and the Chocolate Church Arts Center, a nonprofit organization that since the 1970s has provided a performing arts venue and a arts gallery.

Unofficially, a slew of other nonprofits fill in the gaps.

This is partly due to the large number of nonprofits that Bath supports in relation to its population. Just ticking off on my fingers, it is easy to make a list of more than a dozen organizations that host galas, dinners, dances, lectures, parties, movies, gallery receptions, plays and concerts, either as fundraisers or as part of their missions.

Taken together, these groups provide an impressive calendar of entertainment options throughout the year.

For example, just in the next few weeks, Bath-area events include an “Ugly Green” contest at Mae’s Café today; an opening reception for a “Painted Chairs” exhibit at Centre St. Gallery on Saturday and more.

So although the urban center of Portland is not far, many Bath residents are just as likely to stay local and take advantage of home-grown entertainment.

I like to think the DIY mindset goes back to a not-so-distant past, when “you can’t get there from here” was more than a joke, and today’s average halfhour drive to travel down one of our coastal peninsulas was more like a half-day trip.

In any case, as evidenced by Bath, what has evolved in Midcoast Maine is a do-it-yourself attitude toward entertainment that goes far beyond the traditional bean supper.

When Bath adopted the tagline “Maine’s Cool Little City” a few years ago, we did it in celebration of all the things that are so cool about Bath, but also as a reminder to ourselves about how we want to grow, which includes strengthening our role as a home for the arts and music, with lively nightlife.

A recent Main Street Bath survey asked residents what they like to do in Bath for entertainment, and what kinds of activities they would like to see added to the city’s nightlife. The survey results will give direction to future efforts to support and improve entertainment in the City of Ships.

Who knows? Maybe one day we may even be called “hip.”

JENNIFER GEIGER is executive director of Main Street Bath.