Massachusetts Establishes Its First-Ever Poet Laureate | |
Governor Healey Announces Massachusetts’ First-Ever Poet Laureate Initiative. | |
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Governor Healey has signed an executive order establishing Massachusetts’ first-ever Poet Laureate, a new honorary position to promote poetry and creative expression across the state. The Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for the arts, organizing public readings, engaging with schools, and advising on poetry outreach programs.
Learn more about this announcement and future application details here.
Watch the announcement here.
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Celebrating Archana Menon’s Next Chapter | |
Archana Menon, former Arts and Culture Fellow, with the mural from her Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Strategy project and its artist. | |
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Our former Arts and Culture Fellow (2021-2024), Archana Menon, is stepping into an exciting new role as Associate Director of Cultural Development for the City of Newton! At MAPC, Archana was known for leading the Regional Trails Creative Placemaking Strategy, bringing creative vision to public spaces across the region.
In her new position, she will develop and implement cultural initiatives that enrich Newton’s diverse community, supporting local artists and cultural organizations while fostering inclusive opportunities for residents to engage with the arts.
We are thrilled to see Archana continue her impactful work in the arts and culture field—congratulations!
Learn more about City of Newton’s Office of Cultural Development here.
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Next EMHCC Meeting: The New ADU Law & Housing in Massachusetts | |
Join us for the next Eastern Massachusetts Historical Commission Coalition (EMHCC) meeting where we’ll explore the new ADU law and its implications for housing and historic communities and neighborhoods.
We’re excited to feature Jim O’Connell, author of The Hub’s Metropolis, who will share insights on the historical presence of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in our communities and how ADUs fit into the broader conversation on housing policy.
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Register here.
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NEFA - Public Art Learning Fund | |
The Public Art Learning Fund provides grants of $500 to $3,000 to support professional development opportunities for New England artists to strengthen their public art practices. Through the Public Art Learning Fund, NEFA intends to foster the continued development of more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England.
Application deadline: April 14, 2025
Learn more and apply here.
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Guaranteed Income for Artists: New Study Highlights Transformative Impact | |
A new study from Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) examines the impact of providing 2,400 artists with $1,000 per month for 18 months, revealing significant improvements in financial stability, artistic practice, and well-being.
Read the full study here.
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Join the Conversation on Civic Infrastructure | |
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Learn how Percent for Place, a coalition of 25+ organizations, is advocating for federal investment in public spaces like parks, main streets, and libraries. This panel features:
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Bridget Marquis – Reimagining the Civic Commons
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Nate Storring – Project for Public Spaces
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Kelly Humrichouser – Main Street America
Gain insights on coalition-building, policy challenges, and funding barriers.
Date: March 13 at 4:00 PM EST
Cost: $10 for nonmembers | Free for Arts & Planning Division members
Learn more and register here.
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On Thursday, March 6th, from 12–1 PM, MASSCreative is hosting an informational session on this year’s Create the Vote initiative, which focuses on municipal elections across Massachusetts.
2025 is a pivotal year for local elections, and MASSCreative is looking to partner with communities to strengthen the Create the Vote coalition’s impact. If your community has a municipal election this year, this is an opportunity to get involved.
Local elections play a key role in shaping policies that affect our communities. If you’re interested in learning how to organize an initiative in your area, consider attending the Open House.
Sign up for the Open House here.
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Funding Opportunity: Mass Cultural Council’s FY26 Operating Grants | |
Mass Cultural Council has opened applications for the FY26 Operating Grants for Organizations, a program providing multi-year, unrestricted operating grants to nonprofit cultural organizations and cultural affiliates that contribute to the Commonwealth’s cultural landscape.
Information Session: February 25, 2025 - Register now
Application Deadline: April 17, 2025 - Apply here
Learn more about this opportunity here.
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External Employment Opportunities | | |
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Career Opportunity: Program Manager, Arts and Culture | |
The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is hiring an Arts and Culture Program Manager to lead the coordination and administration of the Boston Artist-in-Residence (AIR) program, supporting artists, and connecting them with City resources.
Learn more and apply here.
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Looking to connect with like-minded practitioners across the country? Contact asengupta@mapc.org for more information. | |
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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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