Arts and culture are an integral part of our neighborhoods & communities.

Let’s keep them here.

Advocating for, and with, artists.

Arts and culture are woven into the social tapestry of our cities, homes, and lives.

Too often, the arts and artists of all disciplines are undervalued and under-resourced. In order to change this, we need to re-define the value of arts and artists as a population worth investing in and fighting for, by keeping creatives living, working, teaching, and contributing to our communities.

We believe in PLACE KEEPING: “the active care and maintenance of a place and its social fabric by the people who live and work there. It is not just preserving buildings but keeping the cultural memories associated with a locale alive, while supporting the ability of local people to maintain their way of life as they choose.”

We believe in development without displacement. As property values continue rising, there will be desire to develop and/or redevelop property. We believe preserving arts and cultural spaces is paramount to a community’s fabric and ethos, regardless of development.

There are many ways to develop without displacement -- through conversation, collaboration, and partnerships.

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Boston Globe: Long pushed out when neighborhoods change, artists are fighting back, and getting help

“an unlikely group of artists and activists known as the Art Stays Here Coalition has emerged to help combat displacement. The small, all-volunteer group is part of a broader effort that includes policy makers, developers, advocacy groups, and others to confront a problem that by some estimates has caused more than 2 million square feet of cultural space to vanish over the years, as gentrification emptied studios and other venues across Fort Point, the South End, the Fenway, Cambridge, and beyond.” August 5, 2023

Artscope Magazine: The Art of Advocacy

“Advocacy requires specific skills including organizing, public speaking, writing/messaging, marketing/public relations, government relations, project management, event producing and fundraising. Through our experiences, we’ve seen the strongest arts advocacy is when artists come together and join with behind-the-scenes folks to create and execute a campaign. Often, advocating for creative space might be the first time some folks have ever advocated. There’s a lot to learn, a lot of strategy involved, and it takes a village.” July/August Issue 2023

WBUR: Boston approves deal for new rehearsal complex after Sound Museum silenced

“Boston’s Chief of Arts and Culture Kara Elliot-Ortega said it was the first time her office had worked with a developer to acquire property to use for permanent arts space. “It’s a historic moment,” Elliott-Ortega said. “We’re really excited about it, and ready to move on to the public process to determine how we’re going to build out the space.”” June 16, 2023

Vanyaland: City of Boston details plan to secure new long-term rehearsal facility in Brighton

“The City of Boston — led by Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and in collaboration with the Boston Planning & Development Agency, with efforts from local groups like the #ARTSTAYSHERE coalition — has revealed plans to acquire and develop a new multi-use space at 290 North Beacon St. The building would be purchased by IQHQ and then gifted to the city in hopes of creating a secure, long-term practice facility for bands and artists in the area.” May 16, 2023

WGBH Boston Public Radio: Live from the Boston Public Library

Boston Public Radio airs from 11-2PM Monday through Friday, and records live from the Boston Public Library nearly every Tuesday and Friday. June 16, 2023

92.9 FM: Permanent Allston Rehearsal Space in the Works for Local Artists

“The building is HUGE. 35,000 square feet, close to the size of the old Sound Museum. So there will plenty of space for rehearsal space, right where in the neighborhood where rehearsal space should be. All that’s left is for The Boston Planning & Development Agency to put it to a vote. I’ll keep following the story and keep you up-to-date. In the meantime, check out the temporary rehearsal pace that the Art Stays Here Coalition set up for bands in the old ROCK 92.9 studio building in Dorchester right here.” May 12, 2023