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Introducing Creative Space DNA

Jay Paget, Program Director

Mass Cultural Council invites you to be a part of our new creative space network: Creative Space DNA.

We are partnering with the ArtStaysHere Coalition to initiate a development network accelerator to help those preserving, developing, and advocating for a healthier creative space ecosystem across Massachusetts.

ArtStaysHere is a volunteer coalition of artists, musicians, and advocates – people working in different parts of the creative economy – who, through coming together in one voice, work both to prevent arts and cultural displacement throughout Greater Boston and lead a movement where the arts and artists are more valued as necessary assets to cities, towns, neighborhoods, and overall human wellbeing.

Creative Space DNA’s monthly Zoom sessions will bring together artists, musicians, cultural organizations, funders, developers, and anyone advocating for creative space in their community.

Each session will highlight the work of experienced professionals as well as the lived experience of artists. We’ll discuss topics as varied as:

  • Effective community organizing
  • Creative zoning
  • Working with a design/build team
  • Adapting public buildings for creative uses
  • Political advocacy
  • Partnering with developers and Community Development Corporations
  • And more!

While each session will focus on a particular aspect of creative space preservation and development, we’ll make sure there’s time for questions and discussion beyond the featured subject.

Our goal is to provide an open and dynamic network of actively engaged space operators and advocates. We welcome your input on potential topics for future sessions. Please be in touch with Jay Paget with any suggestions or ideas.

Join Creative Space DNA on the last Friday of the month at 12pm:

March 27: Organizing & Advocacy

Featuring:

  • The ArtStaysHere Coalition
  • Artist Building Tenants Associations

April 24: Adaptive Reuse of Municipal Buildings

Featuring:

  • CitySpace Arts Center, Easthampton
  • Mother Brook Arts & Community Center, Dedham
  • The 204 Cultural Arts Municipal Building, Harwich
  • Cogswell Artspace, Haverhill

May 29: Working with Architects

Featuring:

  • Boston Society for Architecture
  • ARC/Architectural Resources of Cambridge

June 26: Creative Space DNA: Creative Zoning & Municipal Tools – Arts Overlay Districts

Featuring:

  • Somerville Arts Council
  • Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)

In-person Opportunity

On June 3, 2026 join Mass Cultural Council, the ArtsStayHere Coalition, Boston Society for Architecture, and ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge for a panel discussion exploring how the arts, nonprofits, and cultural institutions find and create space throughout the region. Learn more and register.

 

Learn More About Our Artist Space Resources


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