January 23, 2026 |Arts, Creative Cities, Lynn, Grant, Lynnspire, News, Non-profits

Lynnspire Creative Placemaking Grant Returns for Fourth Year

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From The City of Lynn: The City of Lynn and the Lynn Creative Cities Partnership are proud to announce the 2026 Lynnspire Grants. This year, $60,000 will be awarded in grants of $1,000 to $10,000 to local creatives and groups who are making, or keeping, ‘place’ in and around their community. Application opens Friday, January 23, 2026 with a submission deadline of 11:59pm March 8, 2026.

Now in its fourth year, Lynnspire celebrates the rich diversity and creative vitality of Lynn. This re-granting initiative directs efforts towards investing in local creatives, creating and preserving spaces where the community can come together and appreciate various forms of expression.

“Over the years, this grant has supported our local, creative talent and has benefited several projects that are inclusive and embrace our city’s identity. Lynn has an outstanding tradition of community engagement and collaboration through arts and culture, and we encourage all creatives in our community to apply,” says Mayor Jared C. Nicholson.

This program aims to provide direct financial support to innovative ideas, concepts, programs, and initiatives that contribute positively to the local creative economy.

“We are thrilled to offer a fourth round of grants to our community,” says LaCrecia Thomson, Arts & Culture Planner for the City of Lynn. “We believe that community and civic pride and participation is strengthened when the community itself has the opportunity to create and program local cultural offerings.”

• Applications Open: Friday, January 23, 2026
• Grant Info Sessions: Feb. 3 at 10AM & Feb. 12 at 6PM – Both are virtual, bi-lingual Spanish & English)
• Submission Deadline: Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 11:59pm
• Award Notification: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
• Projects/events must be completed by: Thursday, December 31, 2026              

In 2025, the Lynnspire grant program supported over 15 individual creatives, organizations, and collaborative community efforts, including ethnic festivals, maker-space events, performances, LGBTQ+ initiatives, and more.

“Over the last four years, the Lynnspire grant has allowed for individuals and organizations to facilitate spaces of creativity and belonging,” says Genesis Paulino, Lynnspire Grant Program Manager. “This year we want to encourage creatives from all sectors to apply, so we can support initiatives that do good for and by our Lynn community.”

The Lynnspire grant is funded by MassDevelopment and the Barr Foundation. This program is one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development in the city.