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...

     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...

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.

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.  ...

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...