COVID-19 information
/
Boston is returning to a modified Phase 2, Step 2 beginning December 16. For the latest updates, please visit our coronavirus (COVID-19) website:
Back to top

Arts and Culture

COVID-19 update: Our office is closed to the public. For more information, learn about our Arts and Culture Response Forum. We also created a way for you to view and promote ongoing virtual arts and cultural events in the City. If you have questions, email arts@boston.gov.

Toggle
Page Sections

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuầnOur 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.

arts@boston.gov
1 City Hall Square
Room 802
Boston, MA 02201-2029
Temporary COVID-19 hours
City Hall is only open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Current Opportunities

Current Opportunities
Certificate icon
Artist Housing Certification

An Artist Housing Certificate qualifies an artist as eligible for artist live and work housing and some work space in Boston.

Latest news

News
This letter to the community was written by the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture and the Boston Art Commission.
Photo of The Emancipation Group, a copy of a statue in Washington D.C. created by Thomas Ball, photo courtesy of the Boston Art Commission.

An update on the removal of 'Emancipation Group'

Arts and Culture
City Hall Plaza Project Team

Meet the Boston City Hall project team!

Public Facilities
Photo of UnBound Bodies Collective

$250,000 in grants awarded to Boston artists working toward racial justice

Arts and Culture
Mayor at Black Market photo

Supporting Boston's arts community this holiday season

Arts and Culture
More Arts news

Upcoming Events

Events
Home series graphic
Jan 1

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuần: Poetry reading and open mic series

Home series graphic
Jan 2

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuần: Poetry workshop series

Home series graphic
Feb 5

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuần: Poetry reading and open mic series

Home series graphic
Feb 6

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuần: Poetry workshop series

Arts and The City Newsletter

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuầnSign up to stay connected on updates from our office, local arts events, and general arts news.

Artist Resource Desk Newsletter

Sign up to stay connected and hear about opportunities for artists including jobs, grants, housing, and calls for art.

Artist Resource Desk

Xổ số may mắn hàng tuầnFind out about resources and services available for artists in the City of Boston.

Artist Resource Desk

Public Art

We commission artists for both permanent and temporary public art projects in the City.

Photo Credit:
Photo of Don Rimx's "Powerful Knowledge" mural courtesy of Chris Gaines.
Learn more about public art in Boston

Strand Theatre

The theater in Dorchester serves as a cultural and educational resource to artists and audiences.

Strand information

Cultural Planning

Boston Creates
Read Boston's 10-year plan for enhancing arts and culture in the City.
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.
Upham's Corner Arts and Innovation District
We're working to revitalize Upham's Corner and celebrate the Fairmount Corridor connector.

Our Grant Opportunities

Contact: Arts and Culture
Artist Fellowship Award
The pilot grant invests in individual artists living and working in Boston.
Arts and Culture COVID-19 Fund
This fund will support cultural nonprofits that have had to drastically reduce and change their programs as a result of COVID-19.
Boston Cultural Council Organizational Grants
The BCC organizational grants provide awards of up to $5,000 to local arts organizations.
Fay Chandler Emerging Artist Awards
Every fall, the City recognizes fresh, original, and contemporary work made by Boston artists.
Opportunity Fund
Apply for a grant to help continue your development, build skills, share your artistic work, and teach others.
Project Partnership Grant
This grant is intended to elevate recurring events and programs that create opportunities for artists in Boston.

Other Programs

Alternative Space Pilot Project for Artists
We partner with local businesses and institutions to make underused private spaces available to artists.
Artist Resource Desk
Find out more about services for artists in the City of Boston.
Arts and Culture Response Forum
We hold meetings with the cultural sector to connect and share information on COVID-19 and equitable recovery.
Boston AIR
In the program, artists, community members, and City employees work on projects that help reframe social conversations. These artists explore the ways they can use art and media to improve and bolster City initiatives.
Boston Cultural Council
The council awards grants that help artists and arts organizations thrive.
City Hall Galleries
Boston City Hall is home to several galleries that promote and exhibit the work of Boston artists.
Finding space as an artist in Boston
We want to help artists of all disciplines find spaces in Boston.
One Boston Resilience Project
We're beginning a citywide community engagement process to envision our collective strength after violence, as illuminated by the Boston Marathon Bombing.
Open Studios
Talk to and buy art directly from artists, see demonstrations, listen to music, and more.
PaintBox
Local artists can paint a City of Boston-owned utility box with their original designs.
Percent for Art
The City sets aside one percent of its annual capital borrowing budget for the commissioning of public art.
Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureate works to raise the status of poetry in the everyday lives of residents.
Raining Poetry
The Mayor's Mural Crew works with the Poet Laureate and Mass Poetry to create invisible poems on the streets of Boston.
Transformative Public Art Program
We commission several murals and temporary projects every year as part of the Transformative Public Art Program.

Meet the Staff

Our staff