By Steven Froias

Contributing Writer

The Community Economic Development Center (CEDC), a Love The Ave partner at 1285 Acushnet Avenue, is excited to begin welcoming creatives from across the region to submit statements of interest for its Activating Acushnet Avenue Project.

The CEDC, with the support of a state Urban Agenda grant, is embarking on a process to assist businesses, specifically immigrant-owned small businesses #OnTheAve, to upgrade their storefronts. As regular readers know, there is endless activity happening on The Ave and this initiative seeks to highlight and amplify that activity through facade improvements. This project will be working to activate both vacant and occupied storefronts.

Project coordinator Jacob Miller says, “So much of what is happening on The Ave is tough to spot as you drive by. This project is meant to showcase what’s happening up and down The Ave by ‘bringing the inside outside.” 

By way of example, he points out that street photography shot in the kitchen of any of The Ave’s numerous eateries and then hung in their windows would add a great visual element overlooking the sidewalk. And, help introduce the people working inside to the wider community. 

For this project, the CEDC is looking for creative people to assist with murals, photography, graphic design and more. Stipends will be offered for selected and completed projects. 

Interested artists can apply here by filling out this Google form. Deadline for submissions is March 20. After reviewing submissions, Miller and the CEDC will be in contact by April 1, 2020 with more information and next steps.

It’s yet one more way you can #LoveTheAve in 2020!