Supporting Artistic Process + More Art for Boston

At Now + There, we believe public art has the power to open up Boston. And we’re committed to fostering artists who break down biases and shed light on often-overlooked people and issues while also providing moments of joy and respite that enliven our neighborhoods and city.

Cohort 5 projects still on view

The artists of Cohort Five, Krystle Brown, Eben Haines, Tanya Nixon-Silberg, and Ponnapa Prakkamakul, are bringing their projects to a neighborhood near you. Tanya’s “They Did Not Know We Were Seeds” is still on view and represents the range of media, from installation to puppetry, painting, and performance. Be sure to check out Slán Abhaile/Safe Home by Krystle Brown - also on view and ready to experience in Dorchester!

Go behind the scenes and hear from Cohort 5 and the stories behind their projects here.

Pathway to future success

The Now + There Public Art Accelerator creates an on-ramp for early-to mid-career Boston-area artists to successfully participate in the dynamic realm of public art. Accelerator artists build the skills and sensibilities necessary to conceptualize compelling, neighborhood-centric temporary public artworks and receive substantial funding to realize their projects. Together we develop a pathway for future success and a pipeline of artists for future projects in Boston.

Launched in 2018, the Public Art Accelerator chooses a new cohort of local artists each year and provides a six-month training curriculum to help augment their practice with the curatorial, technical, and financial support they need to develop new temporary artworks in Boston. In the second phase of the program, artists present before a jury for the opportunity to receive $25,000 in funding and continued one-on-one Now + There staff support to create a neighborhood-focused project.

A city-wide effort

Now + There's Public Art Accelerator Program is possible thanks to the generosity and leadership of Joyce Linde, who supported the 3-year pilot program. She is joined by James and Audrey Foster, the National Endowment for the Arts, and other donors who believe the work of local artists, especially artists of color and those underrepresented in traditional art systems, belong in public space.