Public Art Learning Fund: Artist's Perspectives + Q&A with NEFA Staff

The Public Art Learning Fund (PALF) provides grants of $500 to $3,000 to support professional development opportunities for New England artists to strengthen their public art practices. Through the Public Art Learning Fund, NEFA intends to foster the continued development of more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces.

This virtual info session is designed for folks interested in applying for NEFA’s PALF opportunity. Hear reflections from local artist Chris Battaglia who received PALF grants in 2020 and 2025. Attendees will also hear more about PALF from NEFA staff and have time to ask questions. 

Registration is required. A zoom link will be emailed after you registered. Automated closed captioning will be provided. Please let us know if you have any accessibility accommodation requests that would support your participation by emailing publicart@nefa.org.

Guest Speaker

Chris Battaglia is a multimedia producer and social practice artist working in film/video, photography, and audio. He founded and co-leads Torchlight, a community media studio in downtown Belfast, Maine. Along with a group of volunteer advisors, Battaglia helped launch the Belfast Teen Center, serves on its first Board of Directors, and represents Torchlight in the newly-established coalition, Waldo Alliance for Mentorship, a new organization devoted to building a community of practice for people involved in mentorship work. Prior to Torchlight, Battaglia co-facilitated and co-produced one-on-one conversations and radio media for Storycorps’ One Small Step program, through radio station partner WERU Community Radio. In 2019 Battaglia mounted the Village Canoe in 2019, a multi-disciplinary artist project that uses the vessel of the canoe, the structure of an expedition, and the institution of the artist residency to explore craft, community, and collaboration. In 2017 he was a crew-member on a 2-month canoe expedition, paddling down the Mississippi River as documentarian and filmmaker, producing a feature-length film, beginning his journey as a community-engaged storyteller.