LYNN — Beyond Walls was beyond happy on Wednesday when it was named a recipient of $100,000 from the Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program, which will be distributed to the Lynn-based organization over four years.
Beyond Walls, which focuses on placemaking and public art throughout the Commonwealth and New Hampshire, was chosen from a pool of 590 applicants during a competitive review process.
The grant will help the organization expand and refine its “Taking the Classroom to the Streets” program, which uses public art as a platform for English as a second language, English language arts, social studies, and social-emotional learning through both digital and remote learning tools.
Beyond Walls’ Taking the Classroom to the Streets initiative represents a partnership with Lynn Public Schools which uses large-scale works of public art — installed throughout the downtown area as part of Beyond Walls’ annual street arts festival — as the foundation of an arts-based, cross-curricular educational experience for middle-school students.
Beyond Walls plans to adapt this pilot program for use in other communities in the future.
“Beyond Walls is extremely grateful for the Cummings Foundation’s generous support of our
Taking the Classroom to the Streets initiative,” said Beyond Walls Founder and CEO Al Wilson. “We are confident that this engaging resource will help students learn, grow and thrive both in and out of the classroom.”
The Cummings $25 Million Grant Program supports Massachusetts nonprofits based in and primarily serving Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties, giving back in the area where Cummings owns property.
“We aim to help meet the needs of people in all segments of our local community,” said
Cummings Foundation Executive Director Joel Swets. “It is the incredible organizations we fund, however, that do the actual daily work to empower our neighbors, educate our children, fight for equity and so much more.”
This year’s grant recipients represent a variety of causes including social justice, homelessness prevention, affordable housing, education, violence prevention and food insecurity. The nonprofits are spread across 43 different cities and towns.
“We benefit from their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, they benefit from a meaningful and fulfilling experience and the nonprofits often benefit from increased exposure and new advocates,” said Swets.
The complete list of 140 grant winners, plus more than 800 previous recipients, is available at www.CummingsFoundation.org.
