LYNN — The city and the Lynn Creative Cities Initiative have announced the recipients for this year’s round of Lynnspire grants.
The grant program, which is funded by MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) and the Barr Foundation, is in its second year. The program is one component of a broader TDI Creative Cities initiative to boost arts-based economic development.
Luis Cotto, creative strategist for the initiative, said that Lynn is one of four cities in Massachusetts that is part of the program.
“I’m not surprised that, given the amount of cultural assets in this community and the people that are leading those cultural assets, that someone applied for this,” Cotto said about the program.
Those who wanted to be considered for grant funds were asked to submit their applications by May 19. Then, the applications were viewed by a panel and judged on a standard rubric. Each proposal was scored, with the awardees being the ones that received the top scores.
Fifteen individuals and organizations in the city were accepted this year. Each was given a sum of either $10,000, $5,000, $3,000, or $1,000, out of a total of $60,000.
“We are incredibly proud of the diverse range of grant applications we received, reflecting the rich tapestry of our community’s creativity and innovation,” Cotto said. “The distribution of these events and programs across various city spaces ensures that every corner of our city will benefit from this vibrant cultural exchange.”
The $10,000 grant awardees are as follows:
- Raquel Jimenez, “Department of Dreams:” The installation of a Dream Portal and programming around the portal. Includes wheatpaste posters and a community-conversation series.
- Wil Renderos and Audio Chemists, “Nuestro Lente (Our Lens):” A local filmmakers’ project to teach local youth to create media that generates dialogue on social change.
- Galleries at Lynn Arts, “Art For All:” An expansion of services to the community, as well as the purchasing of equipment.
The $5,000 grant awardees are as follows:
- Sunil Gulab and Beyond Walls, “Breaking Bread to Break Silos:” A new community pizza night series at various outdoor spots around the city.
- Eleni Rossi and Jilliana Rodriguez, “Lynn Fashion Showcase:” A collaborative fashion showcase by local designers.
- Cultura Latina Dance Academy Inc., “CLDA Family Day Festival:” An annual festival held by the academy.
- Shontae Pitcher and Paulomi Dave-Potter, “Selfish Women’s Group:” A monthly women’s gathering to discuss and practice self-care.
The $3,000 grant awardee is as follows:
- Lynn Council on Aging, “Getting Creative with Lynn Seniors:” Weekly arts programming for seniors at the Lynn Senior Center.
The $1,000 grant awardees are as follows:
- David Simmons, “Music at Lynn Farmers Market:” Programming of music in the gazebo for the Lynn Farmers Market.
- Jeff Crosby, “’Masters of the Air’ Showing:” A free screening of the hit Apple TV show at the Vault Theatre.
- Steven Foley, “Stand Up Stick Up Monthly Comedy Show:” A monthly stand-up comedy show at the Vault Theatre.
- Shanna Blaney, “Brickett Garden Expansion:” A community effort to convert a neglected city-owned and teacher-utilized parking lot into a shared community garden space.
- Michelle Guzman, “Follow the Boot:” A project to create a “walkable, creative, and fun” pathway for people to go from the Lynn Ferry terminal to downtown Lynn.
- Ion Certan, “Art Classes at Lynn Beach:” A public art project with local artist painting collaboratively with the community at Lynn Beach.
- Keyla Lopez, “The Soul Speaks Project:” A student-led project to use mask-making to represent the identities that society puts on youth.
“I think anytime you’re granting money directly to people who are putting on these programs, it’s money well spent,” Cotto said.
