Last updated: 8/11/25

Cultural Planning

Equitable access to space is a key priority of the Office of Arts and Culture.

Page Sections

Projects and Programs

Allston-Brighton Placekeeping

We commissioned CivicMoxie to conduct research and engagement on cultural assets, publicly accessible art, and placekeeping needs in Allston-Brighton.

Arts and Culture at 290 N. Beacon

We’re working to secure the long-term future of affordable rehearsal space and other arts and culture space in Brighton.

City of Boston Planning Department initiatives

Learn about the active planning initiatives being coordinated by the Planning Department.

Cultural districts

Cultural districts are well-recognized areas that help strengthen local economies and add vibrancy to local culture.

Cultural Placemaking in Roxbury

This project centers the arts corridor and community revitalization plan spanning from Massachusetts Ave. and Columbus Ave. to Grove Hall. (Image: Google Maps)

Cultural Space Fund

The Cultural Space Fund provides funding to seed, stabilize and expand cultural spaces in the City.

Guidance for public art on private property

This guidance note is for anyone working on public art projects on privately-owned buildings or sites.

Public art projects

We commission public art projects in the City that engage communities and enrich the urban environment.

Supporting Cultural Spaces

Space to create and share work is vital for Boston’s arts and creative ecosystem. We need to act urgently to secure and create cultural space.

Upham's Corner Arts and Innovation District

We're working to revitalize Upham's Corner and celebrate the Fairmount Corridor connector.

Waterfront Civic/Cultural Space Planning Study

We’re working to improve the delivery conditions and tenanting processes for Civic/Cultural Space made available through Chapter 91 Facilities of Public Accommodations

566 Columbus Ave. Cultural Space

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is managing the public process in partnership with 566 Columbus LLC and the Boston Planning & Development Agency for the sale of 2,491 SF of non-profit/cultural condo in the South End.

Cultural Space Needs Register

We relaunched the Cultural Space Needs Register to support our mission to protect and grow Boston’s cultural space, from venues and galleries to production and industrial fabrication.

Arts, cultural, and creative organizations (commercial & non-profit) that have a need for space in Boston are encouraged to fill out the survey.

We’re collecting info that will:

Provide us with an extensive data set and register of arts, culture, and creative organizations (enterprises & non-profits) who are looking to make and protect space for culture in Boston
Allow us to collect critical information needed for the creation of a future city-wide Cultural Infrastructure Planning Framework
Enable us to better make an evidence-led case for delivering more cultural spaces through Article 80 Development Review
Support discussions with key stakeholders such as developers, landowners, planners and investors

Take the Survey

Artist Live-Work Space

Artist Live/Work Program

Artist Live/Work Boston has helped create live/work spaces and retain existing spaces for artists in the City.

Artist Housing Guidelines

These guidelines are intended to help the public understand artist housing.

Finding Space as an Artist in Boston

We want to help artists of all disciplines find spaces in Boston. You should be able to live, work, exhibit, rehearse, and perform in the City.

About cultural planning

Cultural planning works with City planning and development processes. The goal is to create more opportunities for the local arts and creative community to live, work, and create in Boston.

As noted in Boston Creates, supporting arts and culture requires infrastructure, including: