Now + There Accelerator Program: Call For Applicants

A newly-revised 16-month Now + There Public Art Accelerator Program is getting underway this summer with the goal of bringing more public art to Boston, helping emerging artists navigate the process and creates a pipeline for future projects. The application process is open to all Boston-area residents and artists, beginning May 21 through June 15.

Now + There, a nonprofit working to bring temporary, site-specific public art installations to all neighborhoods of Boston, offers this one-of-a-kind Public Art Accelerator program to support early-to-mid-career Boston-area artists. This is an open call for the next cohort, and the organization is committed to engaging people of color from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for the program. The artists will be selected by July 16.

The Accelerator Cohort Four, will provide four Boston-area artists with tools, resources, and cohort-style workshops to work on budgeting, insurance, contract negotiation, permitting and city approvals, and other aspects of working in the field. It is a two-phased program, designed to be a fast-paced, six-month learning experience from July 2021 to January 2022. During the second phase, artists work toward a conceptual design that fits Now + There’s curatorial theme – mobilization. They can then present their plans to 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 by October 31, 2022.

Several informational Zoom drop-in workshops are being offered to answer questions about the program on Wed. May 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday, June 4 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 pm., and Friday, June 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.