CultureHouse

We’re seeking 3 new members to join the CultureHouse board of directors! This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with our staff, join a group of diverse individuals with varying skills and expertise, and help guide CultureHouse as we grow. ?? As a board member, you will: ?? Volunteer your skills and knowledge of your area of expertise ?? Collaborate with staff as part of a subcommittee ?? Meet and learn from other board members ?? See CultureHouse’s work from the inside Apply by April 14, 2025, 5 PM EST.

Who is CultureHouse? Sounds like a rhetorical question, but we realize that it’s not always easy to describe what we do and why it matters. We work with communities to turn vacant spaces into vibrant and accessible places, but the true impact of that is hard to define in a simple caption. So, we thought we’d make a video to tell our story! It was a joy collaborating with Vivid Life Experience LLC to produce this video, and our friends at the Barr Foundation who made it possible.

New grant opportunity! Click below to learn more!

????? Warm up with NPN's January newsletter! ?? Get inspired by our seven LAP Leaders Sharon Bryant Nikki Flionis Aaron Greiner Jody Ann Pongratz Marieke Van Damme Terry Witherell Bill Yelenak ?? Sign up for our Feb 11th Partnerships with Purpose webinar with Sharmon Lebby ?? Watch Erica Waasdorp's lively Discover the Power of Monthly Giving webinar ?? Share Kara Logan Berlin's motivating TEDx: Three Ways to be a More Effective Fundraiser ?? Learn about the innovative work by nonprofit CultureHouse #Boston #Nonprofit #News #Collaboration #NonprofitNet #Massachusetts

Thrilled to finally share the next chapter for the Harvard Square Kiosk! Honoring its historic roots, we’re transforming this beloved landmark into a cultural incubator, visitor information center, and community gathering space, called the Cambridge Kiosk. Thanks to Channel 7 News Boston for helping spread the word and to program partners CultureHouse and Cambridge Office for Tourism. Can’t wait to see this space grow into a hub for community, culture, and creativity. Two ways to get involved: 1. Interested in shaping the future of the kiosk? Apply to join our advisory committee: https://lnkd.in/eknfpyHN 2. We’re seeking artists, creatives, nonprofits, and local businesses to help bring the kiosk to life! Share your ideas with us in the interest form: https://lnkd.in/eYEx9B46 Thanks also to Katherine Watkins, Iram Farooq, Melissa Miguel, Stuart Dash, Melissa A. Peters, AICP, Charles Sullivan, Theodore Touloukian, Bryan Jereb, Cynthia Smith, FASLA, Robyn Culbertson, Kaleigh Wright, Aaron Greiner, Rishika Dhawan, Afsar Yassai, Katherine Shozawa, Meg Walker, Max Musicant, Claudia Z., Nicholas Stoutt, AIA, James Wilcox, and Owen O' Riordan.

It's both comforting and concerning to realize that many of the challenges we face in our communities are shared by others across the country. On one hand, it’s reassuring to know we’re not alone in confronting these issues. On the other, it can be frustrating to see recurring problems that impact our neighborhoods despite the diversity of locations and people. But here's where the power of collaboration comes in. When we come together to share ideas, listen to different perspectives, and learn from the successes and challenges of others, we gain valuable insights. By engaging with thought leaders, community advocates, and innovators, we spark inspiration and gather fresh solutions that can be adapted to the unique needs of our own neighborhoods. At the Neighborhood Design Center, we believe in the strength of community-driven change. Let's continue to come together, connect, and reimagine the possibilities for our neighborhoods. ??: International Placemaking Week 2024 Workshop: From Vacant to Vibrant - How to Create a Pop-Up Community Space, featuring speakers: Rishika Dhawan, and Aaron Greiner, and host CultureHouse

Climate grantee CultureHouse is transforming vacant lots and storefronts across Boston into pop-up spaces for social connection, community organizing, rest, and play. "The reaction we often got, which I thought was telling, was people saying, ‘I’ve been looking for something like this. I just didn’t know it was possible,’” says Executive Director Aaron Greiner. Read more about CultureHouse's work in Boston Globe Ideas.

Did you know? Dogs LOVE Gilman Pop-Up Park. And so do their hoomans! Last month, we saw many visitors of varying species thoroughly enjoying the space, plus all the exciting events that happened. Many families have even come by with their kids to play ping pong, corn hole, and swing in our hammocks. We’re not done just yet! Check out events happening in August: ??♀? Interpersonal meditation and connection (register in advance) ?? Open-mic poetry night from artist Leticia and writer Gregory ?? Try photographing a beautiful sunset in a workshop (open to all levels) ?? Screening of Timechasers, a family-friendly 90s sci-fi classic …plus weekly rotating beer gardens and vendor markets brought to you by Small Mart, Winter Hill Brewing, Notch Brewing, and Black Sheep Events! ? Open daily 8 am–10 pm ?? Beer garden x vendor market Saturdays 12–8 pm ?? 350 Medford Street, Somerville, MA ?? culturehouse.cc/gilman ?? pc to Anne Louise for some of these pics! Thank you to the City of Somerville and W. Gavin Robb for partnering with us on this project. ??

?? We’re hiring! We’re seeking a full-time Community Manager to conduct community engagement activities across programs, manage projects including pop-up community spaces, and coordinate CultureHouse volunteers. Apply by August 31!

Gilman Pop-Up Park was a ?? massive hit ?? last month. Almost 600 people stopped by in one day! In June, we got to see: a Boston queer club run, LGBTQIA+ improv, drop-in mending circle, and community yoga. Games like corn hole and ping pong have been really popular, and our hammocks have been the perfect lounging spot for the summer. And yay for mulch! Mulch has prevented many a ping-pong from rolling into the street, which would be bad news bears. ?? Get ready for July with: ?? Movie nights ?? Wellness dancing workshops ?? Climate cafe ?? Art fundraiser and stitched art workshop ?? Community movement exercises …plus weekly rotating beer gardens and vendor markets brought to you by Small Mart Market, Winter Hill Brewery, Notch Brewing, and Black Sheep Events! ? Open daily 8 am–10 pm ?? Beer garden x vendor market Saturdays 12–8 pm ?? 350 Medford Street, Somerville, MA ?? culturehouse.cc/gilman Thank you to the City of Somerville and W. Gavin Robb for partnering with us on this project. ??