City of Lowell Receives $30,000 NEFA Grant for Public Art Reflecting Cambodian Community's Impact

The City of Lowell is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for the Public Art for Spatial Justice program. In partnership with the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA), Lowell will create a public art project that reflects the impact of the Cambodian community on the city.

Led by the City of Lowell's Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (CASE), this project will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. It will celebrate the Cambodian cultural revival and its significance in Lowell, enhancing the city's identity as a hub for the Cambodian diaspora and highlighting the community's resilience and contributions to Lowell's rich cultural tapestry.

"This project will highlight a vibrant part of Lowell's community," said Peter Crewe, Director of CASE. "We are grateful for NEFA's support and excited to work with CMAA to create a meaningful public art installation that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires future generations."

The NEFA Public Art for Spatial Justice grant program aims to foster more just and welcoming public spaces across Massachusetts. A total of $435,000 was awarded in this round to 15 participants, and the City of Lowell was the sole municipality to be awarded a grant. The program, made possible with funding from the Barr Foundation, supports public art that helps communities envision more just futures for public spaces and public culture.

For more information about the NEFA Public Art for Spatial Justice program, visit https://www.nefa.org/