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
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
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
Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies OVERVIEW Governmental and cultural entities may embed artists within their organizations in order to explore new ideas and ways of working. In this context artists often function as social practitioners, combining the traditional roles of an artist, community organizer,
Cultural Planning
Cultural Planning OVERVIEW Cultural planning is a place-based planning process that generates a vision and action plan for strengthening and growing arts and culture assets. Cultural plans may include goals and strategies that address topics including: social cohesion; community engagement;