Case studies are based on projects by MAPC and other public, non-profit, and private organizations in Massachusetts, New England and throughout the US. They are divided into three themes for cultural planning, creative placemaking, and public arts & culture. Use
Arlington Arts and Culture Action Plan
Overview The Arlington Arts and Culture Action Plan was initiated by the Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) and the Arlington Commission on Arts and Culture (ACAC) to strengthen and grow arts and cultural opportunities in Arlington, Massachusetts.
Malden River Creative Placemaking Project
Overview In 2019, the City of Malden requested Technical Assistance from the MAPC Arts and Culture Department to conduct a creative placemaking project to share knowledge about the long-term impediments and opportunities for change, and to increase public access to
Boston’s Latin Quarter Cultural Plan
Overview The Boston’s Latin Quarter Cultural District Plan was initiated by community advocates to realize their goal of establishing Boston’s Latin Quarter as a vibrant center of Afro-Latin culture for Greater Boston. The plan was the result of a year-long
Natick Creative Placemaking Strategy and Demonstration
OVERVIEW In 2017, the Town of Natick approached the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)’s Arts & Culture team with a request for a Creative Placemaking Strategy that would improve the breadth and quality of arts and cultural experiences, and would
Case Study: Rockland Creative Placemaking
Rockland Creative Placemaking Project Overview Working in close partnership with the Town of Rockland and members of the REiMAGINE ROCKLAND Marketing and Promotion subcommittee as well as active citizens, MAPC developed a creative placemaking concept and executed a demonstration project
Case Study: Upham’s Arts and Innovation District
OVERVIEW In 2017, the City of Boston engaged MAPC’s Arts & Culture Department to develop a strategy for promoting equitable investment in Upham’s Corner, a commercial center located in the City’s Dorchester neighborhood. Designed to support neighborhood-level cultural planning outlined
Creative Engagement
What Is Creative Engagement? OVERVIEW Creative engagement is an approach to community engagement that uses creative tools and artistic experiences to help diverse stakeholders imagine new approaches to planning processes and spark creative problem solving. Creative engagement can touch every aspect of the planning process. It may frame
Socially Engaged Art & Civic Practice
Socially Engaged Art and Civic Art Practices OVERVIEW Since the 1960’s a proliferation of practices have been born into being that describe different ways of improving physical places through social interventions. The wealth of words like placemaking, placekeeping, public design,
Public Art
Public Art OVERVIEW Public art is any type of art intended for public spaces or the public realm. It is typically created by artists who “endeavor to generate dialogue with the community, at times about the issues central to their