$915K Cultivates Creative Sector in Gateway Cities

January 16, 2025

Kelsey Schiller, 857-325-3477
kschiller@massdevelopment.com

BOSTON – Today, MassDevelopment announced $915,000 in grants to 11 organizations for public-facing projects in Gateway Cities that support arts- and culture-based economic development and neighborhood revitalization, such as public art, arts programming, events, educational opportunities, and more. MassDevelopment awarded the funding through the fifth round of its Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Creative Catalyst Grant program, a competitive opportunity for eligible Gateway Cities.

“Over the past 10 years, MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative has worked on the ground in our Gateway Cities helping local stakeholders invest in their downtowns and commercial districts,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. “Today we are announcing funding for locally-initiated projects like public art, events, and more that aim to foster economic opportunity and vibrancy within these communities.”

“Our TDI Creative Catalyst Grant program is advancing the creative economy of our Gateway Cities from multiple angles, from supporting job, networking, and educational opportunities for local artists to helping community members amplify the unique identity of their neighborhoods through art and other creative programming,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “This funding represents a key piece of our overall effort to help Gateway Cities increase investment and opportunity locally.”

The Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) is MassDevelopment’s signature place-based economic development program for Gateway City downtowns and commercial districts. TDI uses an accelerator model, committing intensive resources for a defined period to real estate development, small business stability and growth, arts and cultural amenities, placemaking, and targeted technical assistance and strategic planning. This work is laid on a platform of community engagement and partnership development; the agency requires that cities assemble a cross-sector partnership to apply, and over the course of the program works to make the partnership more representative of the neighborhood and use it as a platform to grow sustaining, working relationships. Since 2015, MassDevelopment has invested $38 million in TDI districts through tools such as technical assistance, real estate investments, grant programs, and fellows who work in the districts. That investment has directly influenced over $151.3 million in public and private investments in the districts and assisted in securing an additional $241.2 million. Injecting social and financial capital in TDI districts generates a multiplier effect, circulating resources locally, which ultimately stimulates further economic activity in Gateway Cities.

MassDevelopment’s TDI Creative Catalyst Grant program is made possible by the Barr Foundation, which since 2019 has awarded $8 million to MassDevelopment to create and administer arts-based programming that directly supports the expansion of cultural and creative industries in Gateway Cities. Gateway Cities have historically been home to many vibrant cultural and creative assets, and MassDevelopment’s TDI Creative Catalyst Grant program seeks to amplify the vibrancy of these communities by providing grant funding for locally initiated arts and culture-based projects. Through its first five rounds, the TDI Creative Catalyst Grant program awarded $2,875,000 in 49 grants to support unique and significant contributions from the artistic and cultural sectors to advance the revitalization of commercial districts in Gateway Cities.

“The arts are essential to fostering connection and shared purpose in vibrant, thriving communities,” said Giles Li, Senior Program Officer of Arts & Creativity at the Barr Foundation. “Creative Catalyst projects demonstrate the power of the arts to bring diverse people together, build a sense of belonging, and create conditions for lasting economic growth.”

"Viva Fall River is proud to receive funding from MassDevelopment's TDI Creative Catalyst grant for the Durfee High School Fashion Design & Advanced Textile Manufacturing Career Pathway Pilot Program,” said Patti Rego, Executive Director of Viva Fall River. “This impactful initiative opens doors for students to explore career paths they may not have considered, providing hands-on experience, certifications, and access to industries once seen as out of reach. By connecting students with employer partners, the program benefits the local economy and demonstrates how strategic workforce development can strengthen both education and manufacturing in Fall River."

Awarded projects:

Attleboro Makers United, Attleboro – $90,000
Attleboro Makers United

Attleboro Makers United and partners will use grant funds to launch “Attleboro Makers United,” celebrating Attleboro’s legacy of jewelry manufacturing and hands-on craftsmanship while energizing the downtown’s creative economy. The initiative consists of three main clusters: Make It Last, a nonprofit extending TDI Attleboro’s work; STEAM Make and Take, a hands-on series at the Attleboro Area Industrial Museum; and the Makers Festival, featuring pop-up workshops and a major gathering of local creatives. “Attleboro Makers United” aims to unite the city’s heritage with modern-day innovators through dynamic arts programming and support for creative growth.

Jukebox Event, Chelsea – $40,000
Chelsea HiFi Listening Bar

Jukebox Event will use grant funds to produce Chelsea HiFi, an immersive, four-hour listening experience occurring over a series of pop-up events, each offering a distinct exploration of vinyl culture. Chelsea HiFi will feature a vinyl-only DJ, a one-hour workshop on vinyl record technology, and a gallery showcasing vinyl-inspired artwork from local artists. Attendees will also enjoy food and drinks from local businesses, creating a multisensory celebration of music and community.

La Colaborativa, Chelsea – $110,000
Recasting Route 1: La Colaborativa’s Campus Redevelopment

La Colaborativa and partners will use grant funds to launch a multi-phase revitalization project that will transform an underused parking lot beneath Route 1 into a vibrant community space. Phase One will feature public art, enhanced lighting, and gathering areas for cultural events and exercise, fostering community connection and safety. Alongside, La Colaborativa will launch youth leadership and workforce development programs and expand a small business incubator, aiming to boost economic mobility and build pathways for emerging leaders in Chelsea’s creative economy.

Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art, Fall River & Holyoke – $110,000
Cultural Pollinator Arts Accelerator

The Fall River Museum of Contemporary Art (FRMoCA) will use grant funds to expand its innovative arts programming, connecting with UMass Dartmouth’s Early College program, Fall River’s Resiliency Preparatory Academy, and the Holyoke-based art initiative Lower Cavity. FRMoCA will continue its regular exhibitions, showcasing diverse voices in contemporary art with both local relevance and global reach. These exhibitions will remain free and open to the public during exhibition dates at the museum’s 44 Troy St. location. Offsite initiatives, such as the pollinator garden at Adirondack Farm in Fall River, will also continue. In collaboration with UMass Dartmouth and the Resiliency Preparatory Academy, FRMoCA will act as an essential educational resource. The museum will offer expanded youth programming, including a summer studio residency focused on connecting students with potential career paths. Through its partnership with Lower Cavity, FRMoCA will host artist residencies for one practicing Massachusetts-based artist and one international artist. These residencies will explore the cultural diasporas of Fall River and Holyoke, culminating in exhibitions that foster cultural exchange between the two Gateway Cities. By supporting both young creatives and professional artists, FRMoCA’s youth and career-focused residency programs will create pathways to higher education and professional development. These initiatives will serve as an accelerator for local and international artists and students, fostering a vibrant network of educational, community, and economic opportunities.

Viva Fall River, Fall River – $60,000
Durfee High School Fashion Design & Advanced Textile Manufacturing Career Pathway Pilot Program

Viva Fall River will use grant funds to develop a Fashion Design and Advanced Textiles Manufacturing Workforce Pipeline Program, in partnership with Fall River Public Schools and consultant Specialized Career Guidance (SCG), and with support from One SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce. The program will consist of a seven-month pilot, beginning with a career exploration program for 30 to 40 students at 10 manufacturers in Fall River, followed by a selection of 10 students for a work-based learning experience. Each of the students in the workforce cohort will receive training for an industry-recognized credential. Funding will be used to implement the program, cover youth stipends, and support employer partners, with plans to leverage additional investments from various sectors for sustainability. Additionally, SCG will collaborate with Durfee High School to build a network of employer partners and infrastructure to ensure the program’s scalability and long-term viability.

Raw Art Works, Lawrence, Lowell & Lynn – $125,000
Splash! Vibrant Pathways to Healthy Communities

Raw Art Works in Lynn and partners La House in Lawrence and Aaron’s Presents in Lowell will use grant funds to create a series of art installations and community events that form pathways to strengthen community bonds and drive local economic growth. Lynn’s pathway will be an interactive arts and culture corridor guiding residents and visitors through Central Square's assets, including dining, businesses, health and educational institutions, and cultural sites. Lawrence’s pathway will follow the proposed Greenway, linking the Spicket and Shawsheen River Greenways with public art installations and QR codes to highlight city resources along the route. Lowell’s pathway will enhance walkability in the downtown and Acre neighborhoods, connecting them to the Riverwalk, Canalway trails, and the extensive 200-mile Bay Circuit Trail. For this project, Raw Art Works—a pioneer in youth arts therapy—will collaborate with La House and Aaron's Presents, sharing insights gained from its 35-plus years of experience in the field and helping these organizations further center art therapy concepts in the design of their projects.

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Lowell, Lowell – $25,000
Acre Art and History Activation

Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Lowell will use grant funds to recruit a diverse project team to tell the Acre neighborhood story through various artistic interventions, supported by the organization’s technical expertise in permissions, artist engagement, and collaboration with local fabricators. Similar to the organization’s previous project, “Visualize Lowell’s Black History,” which featured temporary history trail signs and art installations in downtown Lowell, successfully encouraging local exploration and business recovery post-COVID, “Acre Art and History Activation” aims to integrate economic development opportunities like business directories and marketing strategies. DIY Lowell will leverage existing partnerships with local organizations to enhance project support, with substantive partners receiving honoraria from project funds.

Mosaic Lowell, Lowell – $110,000
Lowell’s Racial Equity Accelerator Lab (REAL) Market

Mosaic Lowell and partners Community Teamwork Inc. and the City of Lowell will use grant funds to revitalize a vacant commercial space and nearby park, providing retail units for small-scale manufacturers and artists, a year-round farmer’s market, technical assistance for entrepreneurs and artists, and art and music performances. Additionally, Lowell’s Racial Equity Accelerator Lab (REAL) will be located at a central point connecting the Lowell TDI district, the broader Acre neighborhood, and downtown Lowell. This cluster of programs aims to foster economic growth, support racial equity, and activate community spaces in Lowell.

THE COLLAB, Pittsfield – $125,000
Downtown Pittsfield Creative Alliance

The Downtown Pittsfield Creative Alliance, which includes THE COLLAB, Katunemo Arts & Healing, WANDER Berkshires, Rites of Passage + Empowerment (R.O.P.E.), Let It Shine, and Assets for Artists, will use grant funds to enact a range of projects aimed at supporting leadership development for youth and young adults, community gathering spaces, neighborhood beautification, and partnership development.

ADV Creative, Revere – $90,000
Shirley Vibes

ADV Creative and partners will use grant funds to encourage residents and visitors to spend time on Shirley Ave and form meaningful connections to the place and to each other through a cluster of projects. Activities will include a month-long neighborhood dining experience (Shirley Eats), a makers’ network and shared apparel manufacturing site where local artists’ work can be flash printed onto custom or thrifted garments (ADV Flagship Store and network), and a series of “open street” events that will reimagine how our streets serve our neighborhood with an emphasis on biking, sidewalk sales, and entertainment (Shirley Ave Ciclovia). The TDI Creative Catalyst Grant award will leverage more than $65,000 in local funding.

Main South Community Development Corporation, Worcester – $30,000
Artistic Activation of New Affordable, Minority Business Center in Main South

Main South Community Development Corporation will use grant funds to integrate the organization’s new affordable lease-to-own commercial storefronts, currently under construction at 807-815 Main Street, into the community by engaging local artists to create public art that reflects the neighborhood’s culture. A team of mural artists will paint the crosswalks and install curb extensions for murals, enhancing pedestrian safety and linking the new development to the area’s culture. Additionally, the Main South CDC will collaborate with Arts Worcester to create a blues-themed sculpture for the multi-use patio adjacent to the condos, honoring the local music scene and Barbara Haller, a former city councilor and advocate for the Main South community. This sculpture aims to symbolically connect the neighborhood’s cultural history with its future revitalization efforts.

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2024, MassDevelopment financed or managed 349 projects generating investment of more than $3.5 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 22,426 jobs and build or preserve 1,754 housing units.