Youth Banners Submission Deadline: December 18
November 23, 2020

The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture invites students in grades 6 – 12 who attend school or live in Arlington to submit creative and thoughtful artwork for the Youth Banner Initiative. The Youth Banner Initiative encourages development in the visual arts and offers an opportunity for students in grades 6 to 12 to be […]

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Go Out DOORS, Neighbors!

Installation began in Arlington last week for ‘Go Out Doors – Neighbors‘, a regional public art exhibition that encourages healthy outdoors activity in times of Covid-19, environmental appreciation, and inter-town regional tourism. Inspired by and extending The Umbrella Arts Center’s summer “Go Out Doors” exhibition on West Concord’s Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, this large-scale exhibition is a collaboration of nonprofits, visitor […]

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This Saturday — 22nd Annual Arlington Open Studios!
November 12, 2020

Join the Arlington Center for the Arts for our 22nd Annual Arlington Open Studios happening on Saturday, November 14, 2020, 11-5pm. The ACA has reimagined the format of this year’s event to take place virtually and there are many opportunities to meet and support local artists, while also enjoying a full schedule of live and […]

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Grants Application Deadline EXTENDED to December 14

The Grants Committee of the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture announces an extension of its deadline for submitting applications for grants. The deadline for submission is now December 14, 2020. Grants are used to fund arts, humanities, and interpretive science programs to benefit the community of Arlington. Annually, these grants typically range from $150 to $1000. […]

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‘We Cannot Walk Alone’ Mural Installed on Broadway St.
October 30, 2020

“We Cannot Walk Alone” a mural on the side of 284 Broadway across from the Fire station, was created by the artist, Kari Percival, working with very young children who came together at a pre-pandemic Martin Luther King (MLK) Day event in January 2020, coordinated by the JCC Greater Boston. Stephanie Marlin-Curiel, JCC Metro North Family […]

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New ‘Parklet’ Features Grant-Funded Mural by Local Artist
October 27, 2020

Installation finished on Sunday for ‘Clean Energy Now’ –a mural created by local artist Maria Lobo on a grant initiative from Generation180 to inspire voters on environmental issues — and will be the backdrop to Arlington’s latest outdoor parklet, developed in partnership with the Town of Arlington’s “Shared Streets” initiative and building owner Cynthia Pasciuto. […]

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Introducing Arlington’s COVID-19 Community Archive
September 25, 2020

Six months after Arlington’s first diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in March, Arlington’s COVID-19 Community Archive is available and accepting contributions on the “Local History Resources” page at robbinslibrary.org. The archive presents a snapshot of life in Arlington during the pandemic and includes a growing array of images, videos, and documents for future students of local […]

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Sidewalk Poetry Enlivens Arlington Cultural District
September 22, 2020

Citizen-Contributed Haiku Returns, This Time on Mass Ave! Arlington has been waxing poetic during the pandemic, first through the inspiring series of Red Letter poems circulated by Town Poet Laureate Steven Ratiner, then by the multimedia collaboration of Walking Poetry installations on the bike path by visual artist Adria Arch and poet Jesse Brown, and […]

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Register NOW for ACE Creative Online Classes
August 29, 2020

Arlington Community Education (ACE) is offering more than 150 adult classes this fall, including 34 new classes. New Fine Arts & Crafts classes feature the opportunity to use a broad-nibbed fountain pen to form beautiful lettering at “Introduction to Calligraphy,” draft and sew an A-Line skirt that will fit your measurements perfectly, create prints without […]

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Annual Art Auction Goes Virtual to Support Town Public Art
July 30, 2020

Chairful Where You Sit, an annual community event featuring artistically transformed chairs and small furniture rescued from basements and curbs, has helped support public art in Arlington since 2012 and rescued more than 400 chairs from the landfill. The fundraising event traditionally coincides with Porchfest and takes place in a festive gathering at historic Uncle […]

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Free Video-Making Workshop Starring Fox and Owl!
July 6, 2020

The Arlington Center for the Arts and ACAC are teaming up to offer a free ZOOM workshop for youth and families on July 23, from 4 to 5pm. Meet puppeteer Sara Peattie and artist Kari Percival, and get started making art or a video short starring our paper puppets, Fox and Owl! You can print […]

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New Youth Banners Installed
June 26, 2020

The new Youth Banners by local Arlington teens were recently hung in Arlington Center. Last fall, 95 students submitted work to the Youth Banner Initiative, inspired by the theme “cycles,” and 20 winners were selected to be featured on the banners. Of this group, three students were chosen to each receive a $200 scholarship. Congratulations to Claire Grant, Eliot Hughes, and Sarah Peterson!  Funding […]

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BLM Remembrance on the Minuteman Bikeway
June 24, 2020

Guest blog by Laurie Bogdan Say their names. An idea became an action on June 13th for a group of 30 East Arlington neighbors. We gather periodically “6 at 6” (at least 6 feet apart at 6 pm), text ideas and opinions, report wildlife sightings, borrow puzzles and cooking staples, and ask advice. In the […]

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Outdoor Art Studio for Kids
June 18, 2020

Marina Strauss, our ArtLinks Featured Artist for June/July, is offering an outdoors, open art studio format for kids 7 and up on several Fridays over the summer, from 4-6pm on June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 31 and August 7th. Space is limited. All artists will be required to wear masks and […]

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Arlington Fox Fest 2020 Online Family Workshops June 10 & 11!
June 7, 2020

A cherished annual tradition in Arlington, The Fox Festival & Parade, has been reimagined as an expansive and welcoming, virtual family event this year that encourages creativity, appreciation for local wildlife, and safe social distancing.  This year, we celebrate with an at-home puppet art extravaganza for kids and adults to do together: The Epic Adventures of […]

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BUBBLEFEST! A New Community Celebration in the Spirit of Porchfest
June 1, 2020

Life inside a six-foot bubble can be lonely. But bubbles are transparent. We can see out and find inspiration. Others can see in and feel inspired. Connecting the dots in these uncertain times is not impossible. It just requires more creativity. Introducing BUBBLEFEST: A New Community Celebration in the Spirit of Porchfest. Since the Arlington […]

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Arlington Service Station Raises Sign of Hope and Thanks
May 11, 2020

Businesses, Artists and Town Collaborate to Salute Covid Workers, Promote Safety In mid-April, Arlington Service Station owner Abe Salhi was inspired and determined to make a bold statement of hope and resolve amid the Covid-19 crisis. Known for his patronage of public art, which earned him a 2018 Business of the Year Award, Salhi reached […]

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Red Letter Poems #3
April 15, 2020

Enjoy this week’s latest installment of the Red Letter Poems Project, inspired by our own Steven Ratiner, Arlington’s Poet Laureate, HERE! Haven’t read about the Red Letter Poems yet? This special project was envisioned as a letter-mailing campaign sharing poetry by a variety of poets with randomly-selected households. In these times of Covid-19, this project […]

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Keep Arlington AMAZING

Neighbors hanging positive banners on homes and signs in storefronts, creating sidewalk chalk art and virtual concerts, supporting local businesses and nonprofits, offering online classes — If you are inspired by the creativity, generosity, and resourcefulness of our town, consider contributing to the new volunteer-driven community-building initiative, Amazing Arlington! Take the kick-off survey here. Check in with your neighbors […]

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New ArtsArlingtonCreates Facebook Group
March 29, 2020

In a partial response to the Covid-19 crisis, the Arlington Commission for the Arts and Culture has launched a new ArtsArlington Creates Facebook group intended to connect people involved in our creative participatory projects, such as Plarn Art to Save the Planet, Artist-in-Residence Michelle Lougee‘s current public art project for the Minuteman Bikeway. Designed as […]

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Red Letter Poems Project

This April, in celebration of National Poetry Month, the Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture is honored to join Arlington Center for the Arts and Robbins Library in supporting The Red Letter Poems Project by Arlington Poet Laureate Steven Ratiner. Originally intended as a campaign sharing poetry by a variety of poets with randomly-selected households, the re-envisioned […]

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Help for Non-Profit Businesses in Arlington
March 20, 2020

Dear Friends in the Non-Profit Community, The Town of Arlington has compiled a page of resources available to small businesses, including non-profits, impacted by COVID-19.  You’ll find it here. You’ll see that there is a business impact survey — please fill that out, as it will help make town and state officials aware of your […]

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Extended Deadline for Students – Call for Poems
March 13, 2020

Steven Ratiner, Arlington’s New Poet Laureate, is extending the deadline for submissions from Arlington students! March 30 is the new deadline, giving students lots of time while the schools are closed to submit poems. The Details: Ratiner is working on a rather unconventional and utterly delightful way to inject poetry into the everyday, to be […]

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Volunteer Fair Celebrates Town’s Generosity
March 9, 2020

Saturday’s Arlington Volunteer Fair, hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture, gave potential volunteers a convenient way to commit to helping out area organizations that run on people-power. Representatives from a number of area organizations were on hand with sign-up sheets in hopes of attracting help for […]

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Art Opportunities Abound in ACE Spring Term
March 2, 2020

The Arlington Community Education (ACE) offers opportunities for adults and youth to let their creativity bloom, including Fine Arts & Crafts, Writing & Literature, Food & Drink, Music & Theater, Family Nights, KidZone, VacationFun!, and SummerFun! Registration is open NOW, and the spring term begins the week of March 30.  Arlington Community Education is a […]

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Applying for an Arts Grant?
March 1, 2020

— This workshop has been postponed and will be rescheduled. — Do you have a concept to promote culture in Arlington? The Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture Grants Committee is hosting a grant-writing workshop to be held on Thursday, March 12 in the Robbins Library 4th Floor Conference Room from 7-8pm. The Robbins Library is […]

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Author Esmeralda Santiago Kicks Off 2020 Arlington Reads Together
February 18, 2020

Esmeralda Santiago, author of 2020 Arlington Reads Together pick When I Was Puerto Rican, kicks off a month of Puerto Rico themed programs and events when she presents Esmeralda Santiago: Writing a Life at Arlington Town Hall on Sunday, March 8, at 3pm. Books will be available for purchase and signing after the event, courtesy […]

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Adria Arch Honored with Alan McClennen Award
January 30, 2020

We’re pleased report that the Arlington Center for the Arts will be presenting the 2020 Alan McClennen Community Arts Award to Arlington resident and public art pioneer, Adria Arch.  Adria Arch is an Arlington-based visual artist whose work has been widely exhibited across New England, the country, and internationally. She is also an educator and […]

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Call for Artists: Live Arts Arlington 2020!

DEADLINE: Monday, February 24, 2020 The Arlington Commission For Arts and Culture has an opportunity for 5-10 artists from across all performance and art forms to “take to the streets” in May and June 2020 to share their art with Arlington residents and visitors as part of LIVE ARTS ARLINGTON. Artists will activate a public […]

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A Call for Poetry Submissions
January 22, 2020

Steven Ratiner, Arlington’s New Poet Laureate, is working on a rather unconventional and utterly delightful way to inject poetry into the everyday, to be debuted during April’s National Poetry Month! For this project, Ratiner is announcing a CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS from all Arlington-area poets, both from adults and students. He’s asking people to submit 1-2 […]

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