
The City of Lynn and the Lynn Creative Cities initiative are thrilled to announce the recipients of the Lynnspire 2025 Creative Placemaking Grant Program. This year, 14 visionary projects have been awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, totaling $60,000 in funding. These projects—spanning festivals, workshops, performances, and more—will ignite creativity, foster connections, and celebrate Lynn’s vibrant diversity.
A Showcase of Lynn’s Creative Spirit
The Lynnspire program supports community-driven projects that promote engagement and a sense of place. As Mayor Jared C. Nicholson noted, “These projects make our city more vibrant, inclusive, and connected.” Here’s a glimpse of the inspiring work ahead:
$10,000 Grant Recipients
- Lynn Music Foundation – 2nd Annual Lynn Music Festival
A free, all-day festival at Red Rock Park featuring local musicians, art installations, and vendor markets to unite the community through music. - Cultura Latina Dance Alliance – CLDA Family Day Festival
A day of Latin American folklore dances, live music, and family-friendly activities at Frederick Douglass Park, now in its 5th year. - Outside The Box Learning Co. – Sustainable Living Skills Classes: Sewing
Free sewing classes for Lynn residents, empowering marginalized communities with hands-on skills and fostering cross-cultural connections.
$5,000 Grant Recipients
- Lisa Boemer – Charting Our Course
A collaborative art project with Lynn Tech students, creating works on repurposed NOAA charts to explore themes of navigation and environmental awareness. - Michael Lucerto – Civil Society Screenings
A monthly film series at the Neal Rantoul Vault Theatre, spotlighting issues like immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, followed by community discussions. - Windy Pham – Lynn AAPI Heritage Festival
A celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture at the Lynn Public Library, featuring lion dances, crafts, and local vendors. - Sol Marie – Ladies’ Open Mic & Cypher
A monthly performance space for women and marginalized genders to share music, poetry, and art in a supportive environment.
$4,000 Grant Recipient
- Paulomi Dave-Potter – Selfish Women’s Group
Support groups for BIPOC women to prioritize self-care, mental health, and resilience through workshops and community-building.
$1,000 Grant Recipients
- Ted Dillard – Small Dogs Canoe Build
High school students build and donate canoes for Kayak and Sail Lynn, learning woodworking and teamwork. - Latina Bohemia – Poetry is Unity Workshop
Free poetry workshops for youth, offering creative expression and mentorship in a safe space. - Olivia Werth – Prismatic Zine Making
LGBTQ+ zine workshops and publications amplifying underrepresented voices. - Olivia Werth – Trans Meetup & Educational Sessions
Social and educational gatherings for Lynn’s trans community. - Emmanuelle Le Gal – Watercolor Workshops
Six-week classes at Galleries at LynnArts, blending art instruction with community connection. - Tanisha Soo Miller – Site-Specific Public Photo Shoots
Free pop-up photography sessions highlighting Lynn’s scenic spaces and diverse residents.
A City in Motion
“What makes this year’s Lynnspire cohort special is the sheer variety of voices and visions represented,” said LaCrecia Thomson, the City’s Arts & Culture Planner. From boat-building to film screenings, these projects reflect Lynn’s creativity and collective spirit.
The Lynnspire program is funded by MassDevelopment/TDI and the Barr Foundation, part of a broader effort to boost arts-based economic development.
Stay tuned for updates as these projects come to life! Follow @VisitLynnMA for event announcements and behind-the-scenes stories.