Arts displacement, although a systemic, chronic problem in Greater Boston, also takes toll outside the metropolitan area, in once industrial Massachusetts cities like Worcester, Lowell, New Bedford and Salem.
The Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston (A&BC), whose initiatives include Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Business on Board, artist fellowships, and others, including Creative Campus, its solution to creating and/or preserving arts/cultural spaces. It is currently partnering with Creative Hub Worcester, transforming a historic Boys Club into artist workspaces and public gallery/performance spaces.
THE CULTURAL SOUL OF LOWELL
Last year, the A&BC acquired one of New England’s gems: Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, so it could stay as an affordable home to hundreds of artists across multiple disciplines. Coined “the creative soul of Lowell,” it hosts one of the biggest artist communities in the country: 250 workspaces, 50 live/workspaces, galleries and performance venues, shops and cafes. Originally bought in 2005 by Karl Frey, it began with 33 artist studios, and over time, expanded. Workspaces over five floors range from $175-800/month (including utilities). Artists can participate in the onsite galleries and monthly Open Studios events every first Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. Every medium is represented, including illustrators, glass blowers, stone carvers, woodworkers, photographers, fiber artists, writers, graphic designers, jewelry makers, ceramicists, metal workers, printmakers and multi-media artists. There’s even a shared darkroom, a book bindery — and pets are welcome.
Frey, although still involved, wanted to secure the future of this special community — through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Frey connected with Jim Grace, executive director for the A&BC for 24 years. Through creative financing they were able to acquire the creative campus so it can remain affordable artist spaces.
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