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Consistent with NEFA’s obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable federal and state laws, it is the policy of NEFA that no applicant for financial award shall be denied participation based on their race, color, national origin, gender or other protected classification.
NEW in 2026: Making it Public for Massachusetts Artists is expanding to support artists across New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) and will focus on public art in rural places.
MIP for New England Artists 2026
NEW: The 2026 Making it Public for New England Artists will focus on public art in rural places.
MIP for New England Artists is a free five-week virtual workshop series designed to support artists of all disciplines in exploring and expanding their public art making practice. Workshops cover practical and tactical subjects including site analysis, stakeholder considerations, community engagement, funding opportunities, contracting, insurance, and more!
Sessions will include guest speakers, both local and national public art professionals, adding a depth of knowledge about the field of public art and its contemporary issues. At the conclusion of the workshop series, participating artists will be better equipped to respond to a Call for Temporary Public Art and foster more vibrant and equitable public spaces through artmaking.
MIP workshops are designed by Forecast Public Art (FPA) and facilitated by Cándida González.
2026 workshops will take place virtually on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30 PM ET:
- March 10, 2026
- March 17, 2026
- March 24, 2026
- March 31, 2026
- April 7, 2026
Eligibility
Participants must be…
- A practicing artist - Artists may be self/community-taught, institutionally trained, or a combination of both.
- Based in New England - residing full-time and making work in one of the six New England States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
- Interested in public artmaking that fosters more vibrant and equitable public spaces in rural communities.
Registration for the 2026 workshops closes February 23, 2026, 11:59 ET.
Workshop Series Details
Each week participants will receive a link to a prerecorded video (ranging from 20-60 mins) to watch in advance.
Virtual meetings are 90-minute live zoom sessions. Participation in all five sessions is requested of participants.
The 2026 MIP Artist Track training will take place virtually on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30 PM ET:
Overview of Curriculum
March 10 | WEEK 1: DEFINING PUBLIC ART
Introduction to the many forms of public art. What is public art? And what are the different ways that public art is funded today?
March 17| WEEK 2: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
What is the difference between community outreach, community input, and community engagement? This week focuses on how to create mutually beneficial interactions, lean into relationships vs. transactions, and foster trust and accountability in and with community.
March 24 | WEEK 3: RFQ/RFP
Introduction to the difference between an RFQ and an RFP, how to identify critical information, and respond to RFQs. We will also touch upon project timelines and budgets, and other considerations in responding to calls for public art.
March 31 | WEEK 4: PROCESS IN ACTION
You’ve been selected; what happens next?! This week we’ll discuss what to look for in a contract, budgeting, insurance, and other considerations for artists.
april 7 | WEEK 5: THINK TANK
An encouraging open forum for questions and answers on any public art topic; peer breakout groups; peer feedback; networking and information sharing.
Registration for the 2026 workshops closes February 23, 2026, 11:59 ET.
Background
To learn more about Public Art at NEFA visit the Public Art Program Page.
From 2022 to 2023, NEFA partnered with Forecast Public Art (FPA) and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s (MAPC) Arts and Culture Department to co-host Making it Public for artists and municipalities in MA.
Starting in 2024, NEFA continued to co-host both Making it Public tracks - partnering with FPA on the artist track and with MAPC to tailor the curriculum for the municipal track. For more information about past MIP municipal cohorts visit MAPC’s website.
In 2026, we are expanding the artist track to welcome artists from all six New England states (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and focus on public art in rural places. Meanwhile the municipal track will take a pause in 2026 for some reflection and revisions to the curriculum.
Funders
Making it Public for MA Artists and Municipalities is made possible by funding from the Barr Foundation.
