GLCF Receives a Barr Foundation Grant for Lowell Cultural Economy Plan

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) received a grant from the Barr Foundation for a Cultural Economic Plan for Lowell. At a recent kick-off meeting, Cultural Economy Steering Plan Committee members gathered at City Hall. From l to r: Jay Linnehan, president and CEO, GLCF; Eileen Donoghue, Lowell City Manage; Howard Amidon, vice president for Philanthropy, GLCF; Barbara Gilbert, senior campus planner, UMass Lowell; and Allison Lamey, executive director, The Lowell Plan.

Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Barr Foundation to develop a Cultural Economy Plan for Lowell.

The grant supports the development of a Cultural Economy Plan for Lowell. Broadly inclusive and forward-looking, the planning process will engage the arts and cultural organizations, practitioners, and diverse residents to work together for a more vibrant arts and cultural community and creative economy.

In partnership with the City, the Lowell Plan, and many other key institutions, GLCFlooks forward to working with the arts and culture community to create a robust plan that offers benefits for the broad range of organizations, projects and practitioners. “We are truly grateful to the Barr Foundation for recognizing the value of Lowell’s wealth of arts and culture that make this such an exciting place to live and visit,” said GLCF President & CEO Jay Linnehan.

 “Lowell’s arts and culture scene offers rich social, cultural, entertainment and growth opportunities for residents, employees, investors, and visitors.  Just as a city needs a collective vision for strengthening opportunities for businesses, we need to apply a similar approach to supporting our cultural assets, and this feels like the perfect time,” said Allison Lamey, Executive Director, Lowell Plan. The most recent cultural plan was implemented through the Lowell Plan in 2010. 

“Arts and creativity are essential for vibrant, inclusive communities,” said San San Wong, Barr’s Director of Arts & Creativity. “We are excited to partner with and support the leadership of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation and The Lowell Plan as Lowell embarks on a community-driven planning process that strengthens the continued growth and diversity of its creative and cultural communities.”

“Lowell’s creative culture and vibrant arts community have long been indispensable assets to our City, making Lowell a dynamic place to live and visit, and stimulating meaningful economic opportunities,” said Lowell’s City Manager Eileen Donoghue. “The funding made available through this grant will enable us to engage in a comprehensive and communitywide process to develop a vision for the future of cultural life in Lowell and craft a blueprint to strengthen the status arts and culture in the decades ahead.”

The plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020.

The Cultural Economy Steering Plan Committee:

Co-Chairs

  • Howard Amidon, VP for Philanthropy, Greater Lowell Community Foundation
  • Barbara Gilbert, Senior Campus Planner at UMass Lowell & visual artist
  • Allison Lamey, Executive Director, The Lowell Plan, & Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL) Board Member

Members

  • Celeste Bernardo, Superintendent, Lowell National Historical Park
  • Patrick Cook, Public Affairs Director, Middlesex Community College & COOL Board Co-chair
  • Eileen Donoghue, Lowell City Manager
  • Gordon Halm, Founder & Executive Director, The African Community Center of Lowell
  • Sara Khun Leng, Constituent Services Director, Office of US Representative Lori Trahan & COOL Board Member
  • Jay Linnehan, President and CEO, Greater Lowell Community Foundation
  • Vladimir Saldana, Northern Regional Director, Lawrence Office, Office of US Representative Lori Trahan & Advisory Board Member, Theodore Edson Parker Foundation

For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation please visit www.glcfoundation.org.