WORCESTER—Worcester is set to bring even more public art to its streets after being selected for Making It Public 2025, a competitive training and grant initiative from the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). The city is one of 10 municipalities chosen to participate, receiving $15,000 to fund temporary public art projects.
According to NEFA, the Making It Public program helps municipalities navigate the public art commissioning process with a focus on fairness, transparency, and accountability. Worcester’s Cultural Development Division will undergo training in best practices for public art procurement, culminating in a call for artists to create new installations throughout the city.
“Public art has the power to transform spaces, spark dialogue, and reflect the heart of our community,” said Worcester Cultural Development Officer Fabian Barracks in a press release. “Through the Making it Public initiative, we are further activating Worcester’s Cultural Plan by bringing more dynamic public art projects to the city.”
The grant also helps expand Worcester’s Festival of Lights art installations and contribute to projects like the recently launched Woobox Art Project, which will see more than 30 utility boxes transformed by local artists.
Barracks credited Assistant Cultural Development Officer Yaffa Fain for securing the opportunity, adding that the funding will enhance Worcester’s cultural vibrancy and placemaking efforts.
As part of the program, city officials are drafting calls for public art proposals, ensuring that the selection process aligns with NEFA’s commitment to equity and accessibility in public art. Worcester residents can expect to see new installations in the coming months as the initiative takes shape.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? A good recipe or a funny joke? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
