LYNN — The city and the Lynn Creative Cities initiative are pleased to announce the Lynnspire 2025 Creative Placemaking Grant Program recipients. Fourteen individuals and organizations were recently chosen to receive a portion of a $60,000 grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
The Lynnspire grant program was open to all and favored Lynn-based creatives. Its goal is to support community-driven, creative projects that promote engagement within the community, and create a sense of place. The winners will produce and manage their activities by the end of this year.
“What makes this year’s Lynnspire cohort special is the sheer variety of voices and visions represented — from hands-on skill-sharing to bold storytelling and joyful celebration,” said LaCrecia Thomson, the City of Lynn’s Arts & Culture Planner. “Together, these projects reflect a city in motion, shaped by the creativity of its people.”
“As Lynnspire enters its third year, it’s clear this program is helping to define what creative community-building looks like,” Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “These projects — whether festivals, workshops, or performances — make our city more vibrant, inclusive, and connected.”
All Lynnspire applicants followed specific eligibility criteria, then were judged via a standard rubric used for every applicant. Each proposal was scored, with awardees being the top scores. There are six $1,000 grants, one $4,000 grant, four $5,000 grants, & three $10,000 grants.
“Lynnspire has helped turn a local dream into a citywide tradition,” grant recipient Edwin Cabrera, Executive Director of the Lynn Music Foundation, said. “With this support, we’re not just putting on a festival — we’re building a stage for Lynn’s talent, culture, and unity to shine, year after year.”
2025 GRANT AWARDEES
- Lynn Music Foundation, “2nd Annual Lynn Music Festival” $10,000
- Cultura Latina Dance Alliance, “CLDA Family Day Festival” $10,000
- Outside The Box Learning Co, “Sustainable Living Skills Classes-Sewing” $10,000
- Lisa Boemart, “Charting Our Course” $5,000
- Michael Lucerto, “Civil Society Screenings” $5,000
- Windy Pham, “Lynn AAPI Heritage Festival” $5,000
- Sol Marie, “Ladies’ Open Mic & Cypher” $5,000
- Paulomi Dave-Potter, “Selfish Women’s Group” $4,000
- Ted Dillard, “Small Dogs Canoe Build” $1,000
- Latina Bohemia, “Poetry is Unity Workshop” $1,000
- Olivia Werth, “Prismatic Zine Making” $1,000
- Olivia Werth, “Trans Meetup & Educational Sessions” $1,000
- Emmanuelle Le Gal, “Watercolor Workshops” $1,000
- Tanisha Soo Miller, Site Specific Public Photo Shoots, $1,000
The Lynnspire grant program is funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation. This program is one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development.
