More than $470,000 in grants this year will be given to Boston arts initiatives thanks to Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the Boston and Massachusetts cultural councils.
Announced Jan. 30, the organizations were selected through a process based on their likelihood of improving Boston’s quality of life and aesthetics, and the degree to which they comply with the ambitions of the Boston Creates Cultural Plan. Boston Creates, led by Walsh, aims to prioritize and coordinate resources to fortify creative capital and strengthen the community.
Carmen Cadran, the digital communications officer for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, wrote in an email their organization promotes the arts through grants and advocacy initiatives.
“Culture builds community, fosters creativity and drives social change,” Cadran wrote. “It’s also a proven economic engine, delivering billions of dollars in economic activity year after year. Culture is intrinsically valuable and unique in its ability to lift the human spirit.”
The groups hand-picked by the City of Boston represent a wide range of disciplines including visual arts, film, music, theater, dance and the humanities.
Joe Piro, 23, of Fenway, said art frequently requires financial backing.
“We don’t want every artist to become the unfortunate van Gogh,” Piro said. “If I have kids in the future, splendid art museums will be a great place that I send them to. Great art needs plentiful financial support.”
Margaret Felice, the executive director of the Boston Singers’ Resource, an organization that received one of the grants and is committed to supporting the New England classical singing community, said in a statement that these grants will help finance art curriculums.
“Approximately 20 percent of our membership are students in Boston-area schools, and grants like the one we received from the BCC allow us to keep our programming and membership fees low,” Felice said in the statement. “Access to continuing education is vital to a singer’s career, and we don’t want cost to be a barrier.”
Felice said she is pleased with Boston’s commitment to the arts.
“Through their Boston Creates Cultural Plan and other initiatives, City Hall has demonstrated Boston’s commitment to a thriving arts scene, and Boston Singers’ Resource is thrilled to be a part of this vibrant musical culture.” Felice said in the statement.
David Souza, 30, of Allston, said these grants could help jumpstart artistic businesses.
“I am passionate about art and fashion design as a personal interest,” Souza said. “I am sure such a large amount of grants will definitely help the young artists in Boston who desperately need enough money to start their art career.”
Kristina Carroll, the communications director for the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, said she strives to support determined young talent in Massachusetts.
“We want to give culture a crucial voice in the conversation about economic development at the state and local levels,” Carroll said in an interview. “We want to ensure that culture plays a major role in developing creative, productive and independent-minded young people in Massachusetts.”
Carroll said these grants will allow creative groups to work free of monetary hurdles.
“The grants for non-profit culture organizations will make culture become inclusive and welcoming to everyone — as creators, participants and audiences — and free of barriers, whether physical, economic or social.” Carroll said.
James Flahive, 22, of Allston, said driving residents to creative inspiration is of the utmost importance.
“I think it’s really important to give people avenues to express themselves,” Flahive said. “I think art can oftentimes seem inaccessible, especially since we keep it in museums, so I think democratizing art as much as possible is a good idea.”
The City of Boston donated $300,000, while the Massachusetts Cultural Council funded more than $170,000 to the grants given this year.
Jordan Kimmel contributed to the reporting of this article.
