Dr. Annis Sengupta speaks at the closing dinner for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Leadership Trip on a panel with Micheal Rosenberg and Joseph Henry, moderated by Philip Dunlap. Photo Credit: Eric Hove | | |
Director of Arts and Culture Dr. Annis Sengupta, continued the department’s work of building a national field of arts and culture practice through her participation in the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference in Denver as Chair of the APA Arts & Planning Division. She helped lead the 2025 Planner’s Day of Service, training attendees in arts-based engagement strategies - such as improv and art-making- for working with people with dementia. Dr. Sengupta also hosted the Division’s national networking event, fostering connections among artists, planners, and cultural practitioners.
In addition to her APA leadership, Dr. Sengupta is part of broader conversations on memorials, community memory, arts-based engagement and cultural planning. Recent and upcoming panels include:
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March 26: Participated in Rethinking Memorials and Commemoration alongside leaders from NEFA, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, and MASS Design Group. The conversation was moderated by Giles Li of the Barr Foundation.
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April 8: Spoke at the EPA’s Sustainable Communities Accelerator Network about using arts-based methods to engage hard-to-reach communities.
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April 9: Joined Joseph Henry (City of Boston) and Michael Rosenberg (City of Somerville) at the ICA Boston for a panel on cultural planning, held during the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Leadership Trip.
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UPCOMING April 24: Will moderate a session at the APA National Planning Conference titled Engagement as Offering: Boston’s Chinatown Cultural Plan, featuring Kara Elliott-Ortega (The Kresge Foundation), Cynthia Woo (Pao Arts Center), and Rebecca Leu (ACDC). Thursday, April 24, 2025, 3:30–4:15 PM ET. Register here.
| | Lower-Mystic Cool Communication | | |
Congratulations to our winning Artist and artist teams!
- Carolyn Lewenberg & Edwardo Chacon
- Daphne Lundi
- Hania Mariën & Anna Deloia
After reviewing 12 applications and a tough deliberation process, the Lower Mystic Cool Communication selection committee chose three standout proposals.
These projects will:
- Help municipalities and community-based organizations expand their heat risk communication tools
- Go beyond traditional messaging by enabling residents to share their experiences with extreme heat
- Support communities in collectively envisioning cooling strategies and staying engaged in resilience efforts
- Elevate the priorities of those most impacted by extreme heat
Check out the Lower Mystic Cool Communication website for updates about the selected artists and their projects
| | EMHCC Webinar: ADUs in Historic Neighborhoods | | Rear ADU behind a historic home on Chestnut Street, Salem, MA. | | |
On March 25, 2024, the Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition (EMHCC) hosted a webinar on Integrating ADUs in Historic Communities: Policy, History, and Practice. The session explored how Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can help meet housing needs while preserving the character of historic neighborhoods. Presenters shared planning strategies, historical context, and local examples.
The recording and presentation PDFs are now available on the EMHCC landing page.
MAPC has been working to create multiple tools to support the implementation of ADUs and ADU zoning in the region and throughout the state. MAPC worked with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to create a model zoning tool for municipal planners. To learn more about ADUs and MAPC’s related work, visit the MAPC ADU Resource Library.
| | Reading Arts & Culture Action Plan Activation Event | | Reading's art and culture community members discuss activating priorities as part of the Reading Arts & Culture Action Plan | | On Wednesday, April 9th Reading community members gathered at the Reading Public Library to activate the proposed Arts & Culture Action Plan. For the past year, the working group has supported engagement and worked to refine the goals and strategies to invest in the future of Reading’s arts and cultural community. Community members gathered around six goals guiding the plan to review the prioritized actions for the Reading Arts & Culture Action Plan. Conversations helped identify the quick wins and strategic projects for the Town of Reading and community partners to pursue in the next year. | | 2025 Making It Public Workshop Series Wraps Up | | |
The 2025 Making it Public for Municipalities workshop series wrapped up on April 8 with a presentation by Margo Saulnier and Zane Cox of New Bedford Creative, who shared lessons from the Seaport Art Walk and insights on supporting artists through a public art commission process.
Over the course of five biweekly workshops, participants from ten municipalities explored topics including: What is Public Art, Foundations of a Call for Art, the Selection Process, Grant Agreements, and Artist Support. Staff from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and several RPAs also joined as auditors.
Participating municipalities will now work toward finalizing and releasing calls for temporary public art by December 31, 2025.
| | Creative Sector Advocacy Week April 28 – May 2, 2025 | | |
Organized by MASSCreative, join other artists, creatives, culture bearers, and advocates from across the Commonwealth for an annual, statewide week of advocacy, action, and celebration of the creative sector. Meet with elected officials, organize your networks, and celebrate the power of arts, culture, and creativity in Massachusetts. We will have a day of celebration, performance, and action at the State House on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 from 10 AM - 3 PM.
Check out MASSCreative's Advocacy Week Events Map to take a tour of the different ways that communities are embracing this year's celebration, or visit their events page to see all of the events happening across the Commonwealth.
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KEY DATES AND EVENTS
Creative Sector Advocacy Week:
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Monday, April 28th - Friday, May 2nd, 2025
Creative Sector Day at the State House:
- Wednesday, April 30th, from 10 AM - 3 PM. Register here.
| | The Processing Foundation Fellowship 2025 | | |
The Processing Foundation Fellowship Program announces its return for 2025, featuring an invigorating theme: Data Storytelling.
The program invites individuals and collectives working across creative coding, interactive fiction, time-based media, and live performances to propose artistic or technical projects that explore innovative approaches to telling stories through data.
Fellows will receive support through a $10,000 stipend, mentorship, workshops, public programs, and community engagement opportunities.
Important dates
- May 2 - Application Closes
- June 15 - Fellowship Begins
- October 31 - Fellowship End
Find more information here.
| | Call to Artists - Murals at The Brewery 2025 | | |
In partnership with the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), a new mural project is seeking proposals from local artists with meaningful ties to The Brewery business complex. This vibrant community hub, located three blocks from the Stony Brook MBTA, is home to Sam Adams and an incubator for local small businesses.
Information Session: April 23
To attend the info session, email ivey@iveybuenoartadvisory.com to request a link.
Access the full Request for Proposals here.
| | Understanding Affordable Arts Workspaces: From Rehearsal Space to Creative Studios and Beyond | | |
This event will focus on the challenges and opportunities related to creating affordable, accessible workspaces for artists in the Boston area. A panel of speakers representing the arts, advocacy, and architecture sectors will discuss approaches to developing creative spaces that are both functional and financially viable.
The conversation will take place at New Alliance Studio, a recording space in Somerville that has supported local and international artists since 1987.
Speakers:
Event: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Time: 5:30–7:00 PM
Location: New Alliance Studio, 438R Somerville Ave, Somerville
Space is limited – register here
| | | | Looking to connect with like-minded practitioners across the country? Contact asengupta@mapc.org for more information. | | |
MAPC's Arts and Culture Department delivers technical assistance in emerging practice areas including cultural planning, creative placemaking, creative community development, arts and cultural data collection and analysis, and cultural policy.
We help cities and towns with policies, programs, and staffing that help arts and cultural assets grow and thrive by providing technical assistance with the full range of arts and culture planning issues – community development, economic development, public health, and the built and natural environment. The department's services include municipal and regional planning work, research projects, and the delivery of trainings that build planner expertise in arts, culture, and creativity.
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