Dedham Receives ArtistLink Grant to Invest in the Arts

The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) announced that Dedham is one of seven towns to receive $200,000 from the ArtistLink Grant to support artists.  Dedham will receive $20,000 from the grant.

"The people in Dedham will benefit from the work that [the town is] doing," Anita Walker, Executive Director of MCC said. "It's a fact that this is a community that pulled everything together. These are people who know the needs of the community."

The Board of Selectmen are most excited about the creation of a high-end art studio and community center for Dedham, the Mother Brook Arts and Community Center.

"We worked with the community to work with what is desired. And happily what is desired is an arts and community center and inter-generational center," Selectman, Paul Reynold said. "The old Avery School will be converted into that. And it's amazing how it received unanimous approval."

Jean Ford Webb, one of the Co-Executive Directors of the project, is very excited to see the plan come to fruition.

"This place will have artist work spaces, broadcasting labs, a gallery, a shop and several studios that would offer multi-generational classes," Webb said.

Sarah Blum, also Co-Executive Director of the project, shared that the facility will offer a cafe and leasing opportunities for local artists.

"It will be the best in class. It will be a destination. When people visit Boston they will want to go to this art center," Selectman Reynolds said.

According to Sarah Blum, the planning process will take another two years.

"But we are hoping to see it open within three years," she said.