The Committee of Neighborhoods, in partnership with the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, has launched the Olmsted Now Parks Equity and Spatial Justice Grant.
Donor Name: Committee of Neighborhoods
State: Massachusetts
City: Boston
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 05/27/2022
Size of the Grant: $20,000
Details:
They are offering 5 grants at $20,000, 5 grants at $10,000 and 10 grants at $5,000. Each grant is intended to explore how can turn the idea of “parks equity” into strategic action. To that end, they invite unsung and/or emerging creatives and organizations, as well as well-known artistic voices, to animate green spaces.
They are interested in both high profile, high-trafficked park spaces and underutilized neighborhood green spaces, such as greenhouses and/or farms. The idea is to draw visibility to both site and artistry- people and spaces that might invoke a new kind of energy around spatial justice in Boston, when given the resources strategically.
This grant is intended for artists, creatives, collectives, cultural organizers, organizations, and local businesses who live and/or work in Boston. They acknowledge that relationships to place are complicated, and that Black, Indigenous, people of color have been displaced and erased from the City of Boston over generations through forced removal and gentrification. They recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of the land, specifically the city of Boston, and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
The selected projects/ events will be required to take place between July through October 2022. In addition to the financial support, the awardees will also receive assistance with permitting, operational and marketing support through the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, as well as mentorship.
Grant Criteria
- Local Boston, Massachusetts artist/ creative/ collective/ cultural organizer/ organization/ local business with strong community ties.
- Equity:
- Focus on unsung and/or emerging artists/ creatives/ collectives/ cultural organizers/ organizations/ local businesses activating well known green spaces such as the Boston Commons, Franklin Park, and the Back Bay Fens
- Focus on underutilized parks and green spaces in local neighborhoods to be activated by seasoned, well-known artists/ creatives/ collectives/ cultural organizers/ organizations/ local businesses
- (ex: an artist with little to no notoriety with proven work ethic of 3-5 years, activating public spaces in an effort to engage and welcome community members, especially those systematically excluded, in well-known and widely frequented areas such as the Fenway or a well known organization like BAMS (Boston Art & Music Soul) Festival activating a small local park in a Dorchester Neighborhood with an afternoon performance)
- Place: Open to all green spaces in the city of Boston, with a focus on revitalizing under-utilized parks (green spaces can also include farms, green houses, etc.)
- Have a comprehensive plan for project execution (including timeline and budget) [NOTE: A minimum 20% of the budget is required to compensate the artist/ creative/ cultural organizer/ organization/ local business (ex. A project that seeks a $5,000 grant should total up to $4,000. The remaining $1,000 is compensation for the artist/ creative/ collective/ cultural organizer/ organization/ local business.)]
- Events/Experiences: They are seeking a host of experiences which will be held in public parks and green spaces in Boston including but not limited to public art, musical events, workshops, storytelling, yoga and exercise, etc. to attract and engage Boston residents and beyond. The selected projects/ events will be required to take place between July through October 2022.
For more information, visit Equity & Spatial Justice Grant.