September 18, 2025 |Arts, News, Youth

Raw Art Works helps secure $100,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies Grant in partnership with the City of Lynn to improve street safety in the community through art

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From Raw Art Works: Raw Art Works (RAW), a creative youth development organization rooted in art therapy and centered in the community of Lynn for 37 years, is proud to announce that we will manage the design and installation of a large street mural in Central Square supported by a Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative grant, working closely with Lynn municipal partners. Since 2005, RAW has hired hundreds of youth to complete dozens of public art installations, including large scale community projects like Central Squares’ “Faces of Lynn.” This project will act as an extension of that legacy employing RAW teens to beautify our city and build strong connections within the community.

This initiative provides funding and technical support to cities for projects that use art and design to improve street safety, revitalize public space, and engage communities. We are excited to join an international cohort of 10 cities in 2025, and will begin planning efforts in Central Square starting this fall.

This project is about more than the beautification of our community. The Asphalt Art Safety Study released by Bloomberg Philanthropies in collaboration with Sam Schwartz Consulting in 2022 shows considerable safety improvements across a cohort of 22 U.S. project sites after art was incorporated into roadway designs. Results include:

• 50% drop in crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists
• 37% drop in crashes with injuries
• 27% increase in drivers yielding to pedestrians with the right-of-way
• 25% drop in the rate of conflicts between drivers and pedestrians

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this generous $100,000 grant in partnership with the City of Lynn in support of these efforts in Central Square, a critical center of culture, arts, and community in our city. This funding not only validates the power of public art to bring people together, but also empowers us to create a vibrant, inclusive space that reflects the spirit and diversity of our community. We can’t wait to see this vision come to life, and we’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a lasting impact.”

Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, RAW’s Executive Director

RAW’s programs include paid employment for teens to create opportunities for youth to build workforce and leadership skills in their communities through our five Talent and Purpose (TAP) groups. To learn more, visit www.rawartworks.org/talent-purpose-programs.

About Raw Art Works:

Raw Art Works (RAW) is a Lynn, Massachusetts-based nonprofit at the intersection of creative youth development, art therapy, and social justice. Grounded in its four-pillar model: I Am, I Create, We Connect, and Catalyze. RAW uses the power of the arts to support healing, amplify youth voices, and foster connection and change. RAW believes all kids should be seen and heard and that everyone has a story to tell. Through a variety of free programs in visual arts, filmmaking, and leadership development for youth in grades 4–12, RAW gives young people the tools to explore their experiences, imagine new possibilities, and confidently shape their futures.

For more information and ways to support RAW’s mission, visit www.rawartworks.org.