Commonwealth Places Campaign Launched for Plymouth Community Art Project

$13,000 goal to win matching grant through MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places Initiative

September 6, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com

Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com

Robin Carver, Town of Plymouth, 978-857-6731
rcarver@townhall.plymouth.ma.us

MassDevelopment and the Plymouth Bay Cultural District today announced a new campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative. The campaign will fund the installation of public art elements, such as murals, decorative benches and Adirondack chairs, painted utility boxes, and cultural district banners. This community-wide art project will both revitalize underused spaces and celebrate the deep roots of Plymouth’s history.

“This project will build on the success of Plymouth’s past efforts to bring more public art to the town for residents and visitors to enjoy,” said MassDevelopment Vice President of Real Estate Services Amanda Maher. “MassDevelopment is pleased to partner with Patronicity on this Commonwealth Places campaign to help Plymouth transform overlooked spaces into hubs of community activity.”

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $13,000 by October 18, 2017, at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate at www.Patronicity.com/Plymouth.

“Plymouth is a tourist town with amazing history, a beautiful waterfront, and a lot of opportunity. We want to bring more awareness to our local artists and culture, and have more places in town for people to visit and see,” said the Town of Plymouth’s Robin Carver.

Commonwealth Places is a collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. In June 2017, MassDevelopment announced $1 million in funding for the second year of the program, which has to date has supported nearly two dozen successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis. Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at www.massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces.

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.