17 Grantees receive support for placemaking and placekeeping activities throughout the City.
From the City of Lynn: The City of Lynn and the Lynn Creative Cities initiative are pleased to announce the recipients of the Lynnspire 2026 Creative Placemaking Grant Program. Seventeen individuals and organizations were recently chosen to receive a portion of a $60,000 grant ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
The Lynnspire grant program was open to all, and favored Lynn-based creatives. Its goal is to support community-driven, creative projects that promote engagement within the community, and create a sense of place. The winners will produce and manage their activities by the end of this year.
“These projects demonstrate how arts and culture can bring people together and activate spaces across Lynn,” said Mayor Jared C. Nicholson. “Lynnspire is an investment in our residents and in the shared experiences that make our city dynamic, welcoming, and connected, reinforcing that arts and culture are essential infrastructure in how we build strong,vibrant communities.”
This year’s program also saw an unprecedented level of interest from local creatives and organizations.
“This year’s Lynnspire cohort really reflects the energy and creativity coming straight from our neighborhoods. We had the highest number of applicants the program has ever seen, and that shows how many people in Lynn are stepping up with ideas to bring folks together through art, culture, and shared experiences that feel rooted in the community.”
Genesis Paulino, Lynnspire Manager
All Lynnspire applicants followed specific eligibility criteria, then were judged via a standard rubric used for every applicant. Each proposal was scored with awardees being the top scores. There are six $1000 grants, one $4,000 grant, four $5000 grants, & three $10,000 grants.
2026 GRANT AWARDEES
- Raw Art Works – “Murals of Belonging” $10,000
- Cultura Latina Dance Alliance – “CLDA Family Day Festival” $10,000
- YWRLD – “Lynn Creates: Fashion, Culture, and Opportunity” $10,000
- Goldfish Pond Association – “Lynn Lantern Festival” $5,000
- Lynn Music Foundation – “2026 Lynn Music Festival” $5,000
- LEAP For Education – “All Hands on Art” $5,000
- Lynn Walking Shoes Tour – “Lynn Shoemakers Weekend” $5,000
- Sunil Gulab – “Mural to Brighten Chatham” $1,000
- Robby Rowe – “Open Vault Jam Sessions” $1,000
- Kitzner Vassor – “The Creative Tech Workshop” $1,000
- Adrian Reyes – “Through Our Lens: A Lynn Youth Photography Project” $1,000
- Kayak and Sail Lynn – “Kayaking, Arts And Community” $1,000
- Latina Bohemian – “Finding Your Inner Poet Part II” $1,000
- Suriel – “The Lynn Artists Exchange”, $1,000
- Emmanuelle Arts – Community Water Color Workshop, $1,000
- St. Joseph’s Choir – Equipment Upgrade for the Summer, $1,000
- Daphanee Ozual – Health & Wellness Expo, $1,000
The Lynnspire grant program is funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation. This program is one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development.
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