Franklin Cultural District Committee

Please join us in the Artsy Box Project!!!

We are excited to announce, Franklin Cultural District is joining in the movement of creating aesthetic utility box art to share with the Franklin community. 



Franklin is a vibrant supportive town with lots of historical value. We want to highlight some of its beauty by sharing your interpretation.



Franklin artists of all backgrounds, established or emerging are welcome to submit. 

We want to see your best uplifting works of color to fit the locations they will be featured in.

Selected artists would receive a stipend between $500-$1000, dependent upon location, to cover time, transportation, artistic development and labor. Artwork and assignments will be evaluated by the Franklin Cultural District Committee and Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) for the Town of Franklin.

Below are the locations of the six boxes that are available for painting.

Location of the Electrical Boxes:

1.  Union Street & Beaver Street (B)
2. Main Street & Pleasant Street (C)
3. Dean College, Main Street (D)
4. West Central Street & Union Street (E)
5. West Central Street & East Street (G)
6. Main Street & Cottage Street (H)

If you are interested in being considered, please review the guidelines and submit your request along with a sketch of your proposed art work. Please consider visiting the locations and ensure your proposal incorporates the surrounding area. Select ART to review the guidelines for this program.

This project is made possible by a generous grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and dedicated support from the Town of Franklin.

Cultural District Investment (CDI) Funds

Funding opportunities

The Franklin Cultural District (FCD) Committee received $15,000 in CDI Funds from Mass Cultural Council. Thank you!! The Committee has earmarked $7,000 to fund the utility box art project discussed above. Additionally, the Committee is reaching out to FCD Partners for proposals for the remaining $8,000. All funds need to be spent by June 30, 2023. FCD Partners need to submit funding proposals by February 7, 2023. The FCDC will meet via Zoom on February 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm to discuss the proposals. The meeting agenda and Zoom link will be posted on the Town website under Boards/Committees. The FCDC meetings are public meetings.

Partnering with Franklin Matters @https://www.franklinmatters.org through the sharing of information about arts and culture.

Franklin Public Library

Family Book Tasking!

Wednesday, January 18, 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Have you ever participated in a book tasting? Join us for a fun event for the whole family! Find your next favorite book or series! Grab a menu and browse tables of carefully selected books, designed to show you new authors and genres! We'll have something for every child's age, and hopefully everyone's interest! Light snacks will also be available!

CONTACT: Caleigh Keating  5085204941 or email her at: [email protected].

Franklin High School presents

Jazz Concert

Wednesday, January 18, 7:00 pm. Franklin High School Jazz Concert, Franklin High School Auditorium. (Snow date 1/19). Enjoy a music performance by the Franklin High School Jazz Band. All welcome. FHS is located at 218 Oak Street.

Intermission Cafe

Wine Barre 02038

Thursday, January 19, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

Enjoy Wine Barre 02038. Adults are invited to stop by Intermission, a theater-themed cafe, for wine and charcuterie boards by Kim Rezendes! (21+ welcome). Located 36 Main St. (rear). Select Barre for information.

67 Degrees Brewing

Live Music and Beer!

Friday, January 20, Heather Deary, Live Music, 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Saturday, January 21, Mike & Missy Unplugged, Live Music, 5:30 to 8:30 pm; and ... Jimmy D's Wings & Things, Food Truck, 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Select 67 Degrees for more information about this event. 67 Degrees Brewing, located at 158 Grove St.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Networking Breakfast

Friday, January 20, 8:00 am to 9:00 am, Networking Breakfast for FDP members. Dining room of the Campus Center, Dean College. Great opportunity for FDP members to network.

Thursday, February 2, at 8:30 am, General Meeting of the FDP in the Dean College Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center. Select FDP for membership and event information.

Franklin Public Library

Book Sale

Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21, Book Sale at Franklin Public Library. The Franklin Public Library Book Sale occurs on the third Friday & Saturday of the month. All books are one dollar each. The Bag Sale is on the Saturday 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fill a brown paper shopping bag with books for five dollars! Select Book for more information.

Fairmount Fruit Farm

Winter Workshop - Succulents

Saturday, January 21, 10:30 am to 12:00 pm Fairmount Fruit Farm's Winter Workshop. At this workshop you will plant your own succulent glass terrarium and learn about indoor plant care during dark winter months. Fun and informative! All supplies included.

Saturday, January 28, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Winter Market. Dozens of local vendors, activities, food, and music! Select Fairmount to visit their website for more information. Located at 885 Lincoln Street.

Electric Youth 2023 Debut!

At THE BLACK BOX

Saturday, January 21 at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm Electric Youth 2023 debuts at THE BLACK BOX, offering high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages! Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY delivers high-energy music, including contemporary pop, classic rock and country hits. Select EY for ticket information.

Sunday, January 22, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Franklin Art Association will have a brand new art exibit up in the gallery for anyone and everyone to view and purchase! Come in and see what the amazing local artists have created! You might just find that perfect piece you've been looking for!! The FAA Gallery is located inside Escape into Fiction Bookstore. Select FAA to visit their FB page for more information. Escape into Fiction Bookstore/FAA Gallery ... located at 12 Main Street.

Franklin Senior Center

Book Discussion and Signing

Monday, January 23, 11:00 am, “LUCKY JACK” Book discussion and signing. Join us for a riveting discussion with Sue Bavey, the author of “Lucky Jack”, where she will talk about her grandfather's interesting story and history. Select Senior for information about this and other events at the Senior Center..

Escape into Fiction Bookstore

Books and more!

Escape into Fiction offers bestsellers, new releases and old favorites. There are books for all ages. Additionally, it is home to the Franklin Art Association Gallery. It is also a welcoming meeting location for community groups.

Tuesday, January 24, 6:00 to 7:00 pm, January's Book Club Is BRING YOUR OWN BOOK BookClub! Bring in one, or more, of your favorite books and give your neighbors a recommendation! Need some insperation for your next read? Listen to what others have to say about their favorites...

Thursday, January 26, 6:00 pm, LGBTQ+ Heartstopper BookClub, First book is Heartstopper Book 1. This group is for the middle school and high school ages.

Tuesday, January 31, 6:00 to 7:00, Poetry for the People, Come in to listen, or participate in Franklin's Bookstore Poetry group. A new monthly gathering of Poetry lovers! Keep watch on Social Media, we may have special guests coming in as well! Feel free to read a classic, a modern, or self created piece! All are welcome. Select Bookstore for more information. Located at 12 Main Street.

Franklin Public Library

Book Discussion

Tuesday, January 24, 7:00 pm. Book Discussion, Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, CONTACT: Kim Shipala  508-520-4941 or email her at [email protected] for additional information.

THE BLACK BOX presents

Diane Blue

Saturday, January 28, 8:00 pm THE BLACK BOX welcomes back Diane Blue with Joe Bargar and the Soul Providers! Ms. Blue is a soul-stirring vocalist and skillful harmonica player whose powerful delivery of Soul, Blues, & R&B is captivating. Select TBB for ticketing and information.

Franklin Art Association presents ...

Dennis Sardella, Artist and Author

Wednesday, February 1, 6:30 pm, Franklin Art Association holds its monthly meeting at the Franklin Senior Center. Dennis Sardella, author of the book, Visible Image of the Invisible God, An introduction to Russian and Byzantine Icons, published by Paraclete Press, will present an illustrated lecture entitled “Russian Icons: Art As Revelation.” The public is invited.

The Franklin Art Association is supported in part by the Franklin Cultural District and the Franklin Cultural Council. For more information select FAA to visit their Facebook page or their website: www.franklinart.org

THE BLACK BOX presents ...

James Montgomery with the Daybreakers

Saturday, February 4, 7:30 pm, The James Montgomery Band at THE BLACK BOX. When blues legend James Montgomery plays the harmonica, he "brings it on home". Select BLACKBOX for ticket and performance information.

Dean College Theater

Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play

Thursday, February 23 to February 26, Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play, Dean College School of the Arts.

Permeated with the idea that we turn to art in times of immense difficulty, this 2013 black comedy by Anne Washburn tells the story of a group of survivors shortly after a global catastrophe. As a way of making sense in a world that no longer makes sense, they recreate their vanished world through storytelling (some of it featuring Bart Simpson) and turn pop culture of one era into the mythology of another. Select Dean for ticket information.

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse

Returns in 2023!!

February 2023, The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is continuing its 33^rd season in Franklin with three concerts beginning in February.

February 25 -  Tracy Grammer with special guest Hana Zara

April 1 -  SheGrooves - Boston's premiere female contemporary band featuring Franklin’s own Kaye Kelly.

April 29 - John Gorka

The Circle of Friends Coffeehouse is a non-profit organization affiliated with Franklin's First Universalist Society. Concerts are held in the Society’s Meetinghouse located at 262 Chestnut St. Please visit http://www.circlefolk.org// for tickets and select their FaceBook page for more information.

LiveARTS Presents ...

A Young Artist Showcase

March 12, 3:00 pm, LiveARTS presents a Young Artist Showcase, featuring students of Victor Rosenbaum, and members of the Schubert Club and the Chaminade Clubs of Attleboro and Providence, RI. The performance takes place at First Universalist Society of Franklin, 262 Chestnut St. Select LiveARTS for ticketing and more information.

Franklin Performing Arts Company

Something Rotten!

March 10 to 19, at THE BLACK BOX, Franklin Performing Arts Company presents the hilarious musical comedy 

Something Rotten! Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz. Select FPAC for tickets, performance times, and general information.

Dean College Theater

Pippin

March 22 to 26, Dean College Main Theater, Pippin. Studded with pop-style musical gems, Pippin is an allegory of a young prince in search of himself. Longing to find passion, adventure, or anything else that will make him feel extraordinary, Prince Pippin goes to war to prove his loyalty to his distracted father, King Charles. The prince falls in love with Catherine, a widow with a young son, and struggles to decide whether he should settle down and pursue a peaceful life or continue to make magic with a dazzling troupe of performers. Select Dean for tickets, performance times and general information.

Mass Cultural Council Grants

Grant Opportunities

Grant opportunities continue to be available through the Mass Cultural Council. Check out the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF). 

CFF Provides Capital Grants, Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants and Systems Replacement Grants to nonprofit cultural organizations, in recognition of their profound economic impact on communities across Massachusetts. Select Facilities Fund for more information. There is a lot of information on the MCC website.

Franklin's Cultural District Committee (FCDC) engages, promotes, celebrates, and collaborates with Franklin's artists and creatives, as well as organizations, institutions, and businesses. 

The Franklin Cultural District Committee partners with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council, and the Town of Franklin to promote arts and culture in Franklin.

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John LoPresti, 

Roberta Trahan