“This is what arts preservation can look like when everyone shows up with a shared commitment to community,” said Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “The Arts and Business Council, the current owners, and the artists are doing something remarkable: protecting a creative space, not just for today’s artists, but for generations to come. We’re proud that Somerville could support this acquisition, because when we protect affordable artist workspace, we’re preserving the culture, creativity, and collaborative spirit that define our city.”
“At a time when affordable art spaces are disappearing left and right, this outcome at 57 Central is like a dream come true. The owners of this building could easily have sold to the highest bidder, but instead they’re showing what is possible when owners stick to their values and work collaboratively with the artist community, the City, and the non-profit community to build a sustainable future for the extraordinary artistic community at 57 Central.”
