Update 9/20/2023: The first round of Zoning Amendments are here! On September 19th the Somerville Arts Council and the Office of Strategic Planning hosted a listening session for artists about new proposed zoning amendments based on the recommendations of the Art Space Risk Assessment. To learn more about the project you can view the slides presented, watch a recording of the presentation or head to the SomerVoice webpage for this project. The initial artist comment period is open until October 2, 2023.
Update 4/12/2023: The Year 1 Progress Report can be found here. This document communicates the current status of the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Art Space Risk Assessment. This document is to create transparency on the process of the implementation and does not guarantee any timeline on the implementation of these initiatives.
MAPC and the Somerville Arts Council hosted a public forum on the draft Somerville Art Space Risk Assessment on January 19, 2022. 190 attendees convened to explore the assessment findings and learn more about policy recommendations to support Somerville's art spaces, arts organizations, and artists.
If you missed this forum? Please download the materials below!
The Somerville Arts Space Risk Assessment report analyzes the impact of development pressure on arts organizations across the city and makes recommendations for how to protect art spaces and support the creative economy.
This report provides anaylsis, policies, and recommendations reviewed by the Arts Space Task Force, MAPC, and the Somerville Arts Council during 2021 to address policies concerning arts spaces, zoning and planning. As a community let's continue to roll out these policies and initiatives.
Thanks to those who are serving on the Arts Space Task Force, including, Resa Blatman, Steven Flythe, Callie Chapman, Randal Thurston, Kevin Gatlin, former City Councilor William White, Tom Galligani, Sarah Lewis, Josh Safdie, Barbara Mangum, Kristen Stelijes, Jay Paget and a big thanks to the MAPC for all their work on this important issue.
