Arts & culture
Arts programming, artist support, cultural spaces and neighborhood history and heritage.
Residents want paid, supported local artists, free affordable places to create and perform, and more public art, free cultural events and youth arts across neighborhoods.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
160 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 56 | 4.6% | 11 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 45 | 3.7% | 13 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 59 | 4.5% | 10 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Pay and support for local artists
Residents ask for micro-grants, fair pay, mentorship and business training so artists and musicians can sustain their work in Boston.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Free or low-cost spaces to create, rehearse and show art
Residents want studios, galleries, co-working and performance spaces in vacant storefronts, unused city buildings and neighborhood hubs, especially in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Free cultural events and performances in neighborhoods
Residents ask for free concerts, festivals and performances in parks and public spaces that reflect Boston's many cultures and reach beyond downtown.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Murals and public art by local artists
Residents suggest paying local and BIPOC artists to paint murals and install public art that beautifies blank walls and underused spaces.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Arts and music programs for children and youth
Residents want free or low-cost art, music and dance programs and spaces for young people, including instruments, studios and healing-centered arts.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Ideas centered on murals, performance spaces in parks, new arts hubs and centers, and recognizing neighborhood and First Nations history, with many Dorchester, East Boston and Charlestown ideas.
2025–26
Ideas leaned toward artist-support systems such as micro-grants, a mentor network, a city arts platform and free use of unused city buildings, plus healing-centered art and heritage exhibits.
2026–27
Ideas stressed direct pay for artists, including basic income and fair pay for musicians, and a cluster of Allston-Brighton asks, including a Western Avenue arts district, alongside many music and cultural performance requests.
New in 2026–27
New or growing in 2026-27 are an arts district on Western Avenue in Allston-Brighton, basic income and fair-pay funds for artists, and music in transit stations and senior centers.
Funding so far
No resident-voted winning projects relate to this theme, so none of the recurring asks, including artist funding, affordable creative spaces, free events, murals and youth arts, has been funded through resident vote yet.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
No winning project has addressed this theme yet.
Departments that often lead this work
- Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture
- Boston Public Library
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Arts & culture
160 ideas
2024–25: 56 · 2025–26: 45 · 2026–27: 59
- Large patio for poetry, music and enrichmentBuild a large patio space for poetry, music and enrichment for all ages, where artists can collaborate, showcase and socialize.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Restore Simco's neon sign on Blue Hill AveRestore the deteriorating neon signage at Simco's, a long-standing Mattapan landmark, to improve the look of Blue Hill Ave and lift community morale.2025–26Mattapan
- Roxbury Black Wall Street heritage conferenceResident proposes a cultural and museum conference on Roxbury's Black Wall Street, 1900-1965, turning research and oral histories into performance, music, art and reenactment.2025–26City-wide
- Flower Piano public pianos on the EsplanadeResident proposes bringing a Flower Piano event to Boston, placing public pianos along the Esplanade for 10 days so community members and musicians can play in a free shared concert space.2025–26Back Bay
- Prime-time event space without bar minimumsResident wants venues for dance events at prime times without bar spending minimums, so people who don't drink can enjoy accessible nightlife.2025–26City-wide
- Youth artists curate and redesign Boston muralsThe resident proposes that young Boston artists curate and redesign local murals to recognize artists, unite residents and steer youth away from violence.2025–26City-wide
- Anonymous payphone art installation at Boston CommonThe resident proposes a payphone near the MLK statue on Boston Common where people can anonymously share stories and spark community dialogue.2025–26Roxbury
- Fitness, arts and culture offeringsResident asks for fitness, arts and culture options because different people are interested in different activities.2025–26City-wide
- Safe city where everyone can share cultureResident wants a city that is safe for everyone and lets people share their culture, with improved streets and safety.2025–26City-wide
- Hire artists to paint city muralsResident asks the city to hire artists to paint murals that raise awareness of racism and women's rights.2025–26City-wide
- Community festival with local artists and vendorsResident proposes a community festival featuring local artists and vendors, highlighting queer and POC communities and supporting minority vendors.2025–26Dorchester
- Art installation above pedestrian Winter StreetResident proposes an eye-catching overhead art installation on Winter Street, like Lisbon's umbrella street, to make the area safer and draw businesses and visitors back.2025–26Downtown
- Traveling creative recycling art workshopsResident proposes a traveling program bringing creative recycling workshops to schools, neighborhoods and cultural centers, teaching about consumption and circular economy by turning recycled plastic into art.2025–26East BostonSubmitted in Spanish
- Cultural arts and performance center in Nubian SquareResident proposes a high-tech arts and performance center in Nubian Square offering affordable lessons and event space so BIPOC communities have arts access close to home.2025–26Roxbury
- Mural on Cummins retaining wall near schoolsResident proposes a mural on the retaining wall between two schools to mark the school zone, slow traffic, and give children an inspiring route while showcasing BIPOC artists.2025–26Roslindale
- Sidewalk booths to record resident video storiesPlace sidewalk pods where passersby record short clips answering prompts about their dreams for Boston, creating a digital collection that elevates unheard voices.2025–26City-wide
- Pop-up art and music hubs on street cornersCreate mobile pop-up hubs with DJs, murals, open mics and dance battles that share safety tips, uplift local artists and make public space safer and more connected.2025–26City-wide
- Native American statue or monument in BostonInstall a prominent statue or monument honoring Native Americans in Boston proper to acknowledge their history and presence on taken land.2025–26City-wide
- Alcohol-free nightclub for creative self-expressionOpen an alcohol-free nightclub where people can wear unconventional clothing and express themselves without judgment, welcoming people of all incomes and backgrounds.2025–26City-wide
- Art and music activities for children and youthResident asks for more cultural art and music activities for children and young people to make good use of free time.2025–26City-wide