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Cultural Planning

Equitable access to space is a key priority of the Office of Arts and Culture.

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About cultural planning

Cultural planning works with City planning and development processes. The goal is to create more opportunities for the local arts and creative community to live, work, and create in Boston.

As noted in Boston Creates, supporting arts and culture requires infrastructure, including:

  • work, performance, and exhibition space
  • educational institutions and programs
  • arts service organizations
  • artists’ housing
  • private and public arts funders, and
  • government entities to provide supportive policies, regulations, and resources.

Cultural planning works across all of these aspects. The goal is to protect, support, and grow Boston's arts spaces. 

Cultural planning projects and programs

Boston Creates
Read Boston's 10-year plan for enhancing arts and culture in the City.
Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) initiatives
Learn about the active planning initiatives being coordinated by the BPDA.
Cultural districts
Cultural districts are well-recognized areas that help strengthen local economies and add vibrancy to local culture.
Public art projects
We commission public art projects in the City that engage communities and enrich the urban environment.
Guidance for public art on private property
This guidance note is for anyone working on public art projects on privately-owned buildings or sites.
Upham's Corner Arts and Innovation District
We're working to revitalize Upham's Corner and celebrate the Fairmount Corridor connector.
Allston-Brighton Placekeeping
We commissioned CivicMoxie to conduct research and engagement on cultural assets, publicly accessible art, and placekeeping needs in Allston-Brighton.
Supporting Cultural Spaces
Space to create and share work is vital for Boston’s arts and creative ecosystem. We need to act urgently to secure and create cultural space.
Cultural Space Fund
The Cultural Space Fund provides funding to seed, stabilize and expand cultural spaces in the City.

Artist Live-Work Space

Artist Live/Work Program
Artist Live/Work Boston has helped create live/work spaces and retain existing spaces for artists in the City.
Artist Housing Guidelines
These guidelines are intended to help the public understand artist housing.
Finding Space as an Artist in Boston
We want to help artists of all disciplines find spaces in Boston. You should be able to live, work, exhibit, rehearse, and perform in the City.

Meet the Staff

Meet the Staff
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