Arts and Culture
Our office enhances the quality of life, the economy, and the design of the City through the arts.
The role of the arts in all aspects of life in Boston is reinforced via equitable access to arts and culture in every community, its public institutions, and public places.
Key areas of work include support to the cultural sector through grants and programs, as well as the production and permitting of art in public places.
Below you can find some current opportunities through our office. You can also view open Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Arts and Culture bids. Additional opportunities can be found on our Submittable page.
Upcoming Events
EventsArts Community Events and Programs
Many of the artists and arts organizations that we've supported through our grants have exciting events and programs planned for this year. Take a look at some of the things they're planning below, and submit your own!
Equity in Arts and Culture
We're committed to promoting equity and accessibility through the arts in Boston.
Our Grant Opportunities
Boston Cultural Council Organizational Grants
The BCC organizational grants provide awards of up to $5,000 to local arts organizations.
Cultural Investment Grants
The Cultural Investment Grant aims to grow and sustain arts and cultural organizations that have a clear vision of a creative, equitable, and more just city.
Cultural Space Fund
The Cultural Space Fund provides funding to seed, stabilize, and expand cultural spaces in the City.
Neighborhood and Downtown Activation Grants
This grant program supports community-focused arts and cultural activations in public spaces.
Key Programs
City Hall Galleries
Boston City Hall is home to several galleries that promote and exhibit the work of Boston artists.
PaintBox
Local artists can paint a City of Boston-owned utility box with their original designs.
Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureate works to raise the status of poetry in the everyday lives of residents.
Public Art Projects
We commission permanent and temporary public art projects in the City that engage communities and enrich the urban environment. We also support projects led by artists and community members.
Transformative Public Art Program
We commission several murals and temporary projects every year as part of the Transformative Public Art Program.
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.
Meet the Staff
Our staff![Image for img 9604 edit](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/person_profile/photos/2017/12/img_9604-edit.jpg?itok=AgtkFFXh)
![Image for the strand theatre](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/2016/i/img_5075.jpg?itok=t8veLea2)
![Denyel Fonseca](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/library/photos/2020/10/fonseca-headshot.png?itok=LB9LX1oa)
![Headshot of Karin Goodfellow, Director of Public Art for the City of Boston](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/library/photos/2023/06/goodfellow%20headshot.jpeg?itok=HlT4j8vp)
![Image for the strand theatre](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/2016/i/img_5075.jpg?itok=t8veLea2)
![Image for tom headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/person_profile/photos/2019/03/tom_headshot.jpg?itok=8yjhkxO-)
![Headshot of Kerri Malone](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/library/photos/2024/07/20220915-_D851831%20%283%29.jpg?itok=OMruMGDW)
![headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/library/photos/2022/01/0001_0.jpg?itok=GBaZltv-)
![Jared Staley headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/library/photos/2022/11/P1090264.jpg?itok=K1k4pY3e)
![Headshot of Amber Torres, a woman with dark skin and curly hair, wearing a headband and blue sweater.](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/library/photos/2022/04/P1080222.jpg?itok=0gWwOqiI)
![Image for blank photo of person profile](/sites/default/files/styles/person_photo_a_mobile_1x/public/img/person_profile/photos/2017/08/proflie_icon-01.png?itok=ptxQ2KrR)