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At NEFA, we believe in the arts as a powerful tool for positive change and that public art has the power to shift public culture and change the future. In this complicated moment in history, I am grateful for artists like crystal bi and Dzidzor who remind us of whose shoulders we rest on, while also encouraging us to imagine new possibilities for our collective future.
In their recent blog, crystal and Dzidzor reflect on their latest project, the Department of Public Imagination and share, “This collective remembering and imagining are forms of spatial justice across times. While Boston has evolved and [Carson] beach has become a welcoming space to gather, we choose to remember the past, to honor the ways the 1975 protestor's imagination and efforts helped to shape a more equitable public space for all.”
As we launch NEFA’s new strategic plan this season, we stand firm in the belief that the freedoms to create, access, express, and share arts and cultures are human rights that are essential to more equitable and vibrant public spaces. We also recognize that these freedoms aren't equitably afforded to all. Through our public art grants this season, we aim to foster a community of practice that is imagining and cultivating opportunities for us to both experience and dream into more welcoming, just and vibrant public spaces as we imagine a future where these freedoms are available to all.
We hope you’ll join us in this work through our upcoming public art opportunities!
Opportunities for Artists
Public Art for Spatial Justice
Public Art for Spatial Justice invests in Massachusetts-based artist(s) and Massachusetts-based organizations working with artist(s) to create public art that expresses and embodies a more just version of what’s possible in public. Grants range from $15,000 to $30,000
Applications are due December 2, 2025, 11:59 PM ET.
In addition to crystal and Dzidor’s reflections on their PASJ project, Department of Public Imagination, here’s a blog from Common Wealth Murals from our archives for inspiration.
At this time we are taking a pause with our Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice cohort in 2026, as we take some time to do our own reflection work through an impact assessment of our public art programs. More on that to come!
Public Art Learning Fund
Public Art Learning Fund provides grants of $500 to $3,000 to support professional development opportunities for New England artists to strengthen their public art practices. The Public Art Learning Fund focuses on professional development opportunities that build necessary skills, resources, connections and strengthen artists’ public art practices and the public art field at large. Examples may include but are not limited to attending a conference, workshop, training, or discussion related to building creative or administrative skills related to their public art practice.
Applications are due Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 11:59p ET
For opportunities that take place January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026.
Past PALF grantee D Derek shares their reflections on our blog. Or check out a blog from previous grantee Erika Senft Miller from our archives!
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