Move4ART

In 2017 Mattapan Cultural Arts Development (MCAD) received $60,000 from LISC’s  Creative Placemaking Program ; two-thirds ($40,000) of which we re-distributed to local artists and arts organizations to make art happen in Mattapan. As a result, our mini-grants funded a youth arts project at Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center (GBNCC), community paint nights facilitated by  K. Fine Arts Studios ‘ Marjorie Saintil-Belizaire, as well as 53 performers and 18 technical/production  assistants through three performing arts organizations who bring cultural content to Mattapan every year:  African Repertory Troupe, Inc .;  Aashka Dance Company ; and  musiConnects . MCAD channeled just under 12% ($7,000) of this $60,000 grant to provide organizational support to the  Mattapan Arts Council –including pop-up galleries, planning meetings, and most notably, its launch of the first ever  Mattapan Open Studios  last October. Of the remaining b...

Seldom get to write in this place, in this voice. Here goes.  Where? Going to witness Sleeping Weazel 's presentation of "3/Fifths" Trapped in a Traveling Minstrel Show  this weekend at the Calderwood Pavilion .  Why? Because  Minstrelsy dominated American culture for three-quarters of a century--from the 1840s, when minstrel shows became the 'hot ticket' in every city, town, and hollow across the United States of America.  And the more white entertainers realized there was money to be made by stereo/typing cash-poor (mostly) Southern blacks, minstrel shows  'went viral'--infecting the American bloodstream with antibodies that continue to poison our system to this day. Black performers gained acceptance with white audiences in the United States by 'blacking up.' If you didn't put on blackface, you didn't get to take the stage in otherwise "white only" houses. In other words, you didn't even get to play.   At first bl...

Thanks to  MassCreative , Mattapan creatives have a basis for comparing the two mayoral candidates before we pull a lever next Tuesday.   And while the Mattapan Arts Council (M.A.C.) has decided  not  to endorse a candidate this time around, a side-by-side comparison of the candidates’ responses to  MassCreative’s questionnaire  is worth considering. One way to compare the two is between ‘head’ versus ‘heart:’  one candidate speaks from his personal connection to the arts; the other reveals only what he thinks about the arts.  Put differently, one approaches the questions posed from the “inside out;” the other, from “outside in.” Of course  the challenger  is promoting change, while  the incumbent  is defending the status quo.  And it is on the hinge between the two that the M.A.C. found itself deadlocked. The challenger acknowledges the need for change, at least.  His responses suggest he’d  do some...

On September 6th, 2017 a message dropped from a Boston.gov email account announcing  a "Farewell to Mattapan-Dorchester and the Haitian Community."  Buried in the message (in the very last paragraph, in fact), was a a cryptic mention that there would "also be updates regarding Mattapan Square...and the addition of a new tattoo parlor." This struck me as curious, since I already had an entry in my calendar, by then, to attend a hearing of the City's  Zoning Board of Appeals  about a tattoo parlor slated to go into the building next door to where I live. The Zoning Board's hearing notice had arrived in snail mail weeks before.  It confirmed what prior to then, was only rumor.  So I resolved to go and lodge a formal protest; specifically about the lack of public process related the proposed change of "business uses" at  438 River Street  in Mattapan, MA. I listened intently as Ruth Georges, out-going Boston Neighborhood Liaison, assured t...

Boston  politics has always been ‘machine politics’–where power is centralized, consolidated, and tightly controlled in the hands of a few, ostensibly for the benefit of ‘the many.’  Unfortunately,  whoever happens to be wielding power understands ‘the many’ as mostly class- and color-coded. Every four years, however, the concept of ‘the many’ is really encouraged to breathe–to find its broadest possible expanse; to stretch to embrace and accommodate, in fact, enough of the voting public.  This is when those who wield power loosen the reigns long enough so some of the rainwater trickles down to the grassroots.  And like art, water is life. And so it is that today  Martin J. Walsh ‘s campaign signs have papered over Mattapan Square with ‘walking around money.’  Curiously though, the racially-displaced (’cause they ain’t from ’round here), candy-sucking panhandlers were no where to be found  today .  And in case you missed it, Ma...

     If U.S.  Census data is to be believed, Mattapan lost nearly 10% of its population between 2000 and 2010.   This came as a surprise to those of us who live here.   Bus trips home remained congested,  and lines at the Post Office remained long.    In other words, nothing in our lived experience of the place confirmed what Census data reported.     Since then the nagging question has been, how did nearly 10,000 people leave without anyone noticing?            Now we know there’s been a concerted effort to whittle away at Mattapan’s territory, again.   This time, by selling Mattapan homeowners  on the idea that life would be better if they were Hyde Park residents.  Apparently many opted to leave Mattapan (figuratively speaking)—diluting the power of their vote in the larger pool of mostly white voters who live in Hyde Park.  And for what? Cheaper insur...

How will you summer in 2017?   Boston Harbor [Re]Creation initiatives has issued a call for an Artist In Residency , based on Spectacle Island; and a Temporary Sculpture Exhibition on Peddocks Island; hoping "to draw a diverse and skilled pool of artists who share a passion for parks."    The application deadline is Monday, 30 January 2017  @ 11:59 p.m. So if nature's your thing, you might want to consider attending the information session on Wednesday, 14 December 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. Meanwhile, peruse Boston Harbor [Re]Creatiion's  website  for more details.  We'll forward the RFP via email to all artists in our network.  If you don't receive one, please forward email message with subject line "Boston Harbor Islands RFP" and we'll send it via reply.

     Two years ago the Mattapan Arts Council articulated a scathing critique of the Boston Public Health Commission 's current "Our Mattapan" campaign .  Ironically, its Violence Intervention & Prevention   (branded for 'cool points' as "VIP")  initiative developed a "public awareness campaign" about Mattapan that only reifies the view of Mattapan as a violent, dangerous place to be.      It's a campaign message that contra/dicts the day-to-day experience of those who live, work, or play in Mattapan.   It also caused Mattapan-based artists  to think more broadly about how our Mattapan is often (mis)represented, despite even the best intentions. Now comes a new RFP that  just might be our best chance to do something about it.        So the Mattapan Arts Council  is more than happy to share information about the VIP's new search for artists to work with its youth design team to develop its next...

Mattapan Cultural Arts Development Live Arts l Creative Placemaking l  Arts Advocacy FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:   G. Sierra Khan                  857.333.3513 LISC Boston Prepares to Fund Creative Placemaking in Mattapan LISC Boston  has been selected to receive sixty-thousand dollars to support creative placemaking projects coordinated through   Mattapan Cultural Arts Development  ( MCAD )--a network of artists and arts organizations invested in making Mattapan a cultural destination.  The grant goes to support the implementation of projects derived from community engagement processes prior to August 2016. LISC Creative Placemaking requested proposals from LISC field offices that are integrating arts and culture into their comprehensive community development work.   LISC Creative Placemaking was launched with major fundi...

The Mass Cultural Council is seeking input from artists , arts organizations and schools  to inform the development of its new strategic plan.   It's particularly important that Mattapan-based artists and arts organizations weigh in to quash the perception that creatives don't live, work, or play here. You've likely heard elsewhere, when you don't 'vote,' you don't matter.  You are effectively saying, "Do what you will."  Your silence gives assent to what follows; and delimits the authority of your voice, if  (or when) you are later heard to complain. It is an imposition.  It takes about 15 minutes to thoughtfully complete the survey.  Many of the questions require reflection.  It's worth it, however; if you've ever wished you had somewhere to show your work, to find grants, or otherwise forward your projects. Take the time, now--before it's too late.  The survey closes soon.

Dear Friends, I want to thank you once again for partnering with Celebrity Series on Street Pianos Boston. We are especially grateful to you and your teams for all your help in making the festival run so smoothly, and for your flexibility in protecting the pianos throughout rainy days we encountered.  Despite the challenging weather, we are very pleased with the delight these pianos brought to our hometown and the sense of community Street Pianos Boston 2016 generated — we hope you are, too! We heard from many of you that the pianos have encouraged people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to gather together and create moments of engagement in each neighborhood of Boston and many parts of Cambridge. In addition, we have seen an enthusiastic online conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with thousands of photos and videos from the general public—all using the hashtag #streetpianosboston.  I'm pleased that our organizations ...

Mattapan Cultural Arts Development is excited to bring ArtsEmerson 's Play-reading Book Club to Mattapan this fall.  Join us as we read, see, and discuss the play and the production.   In Mala ,  Melinda Lopez  explores through wit and humor being torn between multiple demands on our time and attention, and how bad (mala) we often feel in the process.  It is a story heartfelt to many today, especially if you're a primary care-giver.   Watch her explain here what mala means. Then register to join the Play-reading Book Club.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:   G. Sierra Khan                  857.333.3513 Street Pianos Boston 2016 kicks off at City Hall Plaza at 3 p.m. Friday, 23 September 2016 “to celebrate the artists who created the pianos and the organizations that have stepped up to host them.”  Mattapan Cultural Arts Development (MCAD) will follow-up with an opening reception of its own in Mattapan Square starting at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of River St. and Blue Hill Avenue (near the Mattapan T Station.   Weather permitting, our performance showcases this weekend include the ‘Beantown Jazz Extension’ on Saturday, 24 September starting at 3 p.m., and the ‘Gospel Fest’ on Sunday, 25 September at 4 p.m. Additional information about this weekend’s schedule will be posted @ArtsMattapan on Facebook and Twitter as details become available.  ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: G. Sierra Khan              857.333.3513 MCAD brings Street Pianos Boston to Mattapan          Mattapan Cultural Arts Development (MCAD)is bringing the Street Pianos Boston Festival to Mattapan Square this year. The street piano MCAD is hosting was painted by Marjorie Saintil-Belizaire of K. Fine ArtsStudios .  It will be located at the southeast corner of River St. and Blue Hill Avenue (closest to the T Station) thanks to CelebritySeries Boston ’s Street Pianos project.    MCAD--a network of artists and arts organizations invested in making art happen in Mattapan—will program certain hours of poetry, performance and “Play Me, I’m Yours” to call attention to this temporary installation. Track #StreetPianoMattapan between 9.23 and 10.10.2016 for program schedules and updates. Photo credit: Robert Torres/Celebrity Series Boston

by Marjorie Saintil-Belizaire      A lifetime of working with steel drums creates a unique palette for Jeffrey Bernard’s artistic talents and designs.  Whether it’s abstract, realistic or fantasy imagery, Jeffrey creates works of art utilizing the colors and characteristics of steel that evoke awe and wonder.  His unique style blends Folk Art with cultural Haitian traditions.  He sculpts his pieces out of metals using an artistic touch of chiseling, hammering and shaping.      Jeffrey Bernard was born and raised in Croix-des-Bouquets, (northeast of Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince) to a family of metal sculptors. His older brother taught and encouraged Jeffrey to learn metal working at the young age of 8.  He apprenticed with his older brother until he was proficient enough in metalwork and craftsmanship to market and sell his own metal artwork.          Jeffrey creates his artwork using l...

The Mattapan Arts Council has lately been entertaining the idea of curating an exhibit of Haitian art at the State House this May.  The call for submissions will be posted online soon.   In the meantime, if you're interested in volunteering to assist we'd appreciate hearing from you.  Don't hesitate to email us directly via move4ART@gmail.com or poke us  if you just can't contain your excitement.  Will say more later.

The City of Boston is quite aware that there is a network of artists and arts organizations invested in "making art happen in Mattapan." Mattapan Cultural Arts Development (MCAD) has been back and forth with the Boston Arts Commission over a public art installation announced by Mayor Menino in September 2009.   In addition, MCAD has met with  Julie Burros , the City's Chief of Arts & Culture, participated in BostonCreates, and is otherwise known to the City's arts establishment.  So it's startling that we're just finding out about Mayor Walsh's Fair Housing Arts Contest .  This is particularly stunning given the current challenges the Mattapan community's facing around the issue of "fair" (as in, "affordable") housing. Yikes!