Lowell, MA – Members of Lowell’s arts and cultural community, gathered today to celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated creative economy plan, Mosaic Lowell. The event, held in the Hall of Flags at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, marked the completion of a two-year planning process that focused on extensive community engagement and public outreach. The event also announced a $1M commitment from the Barr Foundation to support the plan’s implementation. 

The Barr Foundation was the premiere sponsor of the planning initiative, and their additional support helps ensure that the implementation phase is off to a running start.   

San San Wong, Director of Arts and Culture for the Barr Foundation, said: “At Barr, we believe that arts and creativity are essential for vibrant, vital, and engaged communities. I particularly love the Mosaic principle of DREAM BIG! Lowell has a plethora of dreamers. And, importantly, Lowell has many leaders committed to making those dreams a reality. So, to support this next phase in your journey, we’re pleased to announce a grant of $1 million to support the initial three years of Mosaic Lowell.”

Jay Linnehan, President and CEO of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, which serves as the fiscal sponsor of Mosaic Lowell, added, “This plan can transform Lowell’s cultural economy and help elevate the City as a vibrant destination for many, both near and far.”

Mosaic Lowell came about through the collaboration of stakeholders working to enhance the quality of life in Lowell through arts, culture, and creative endeavors. It’s an initiative that brings together diverse individuals, neighborhoods, artists, and creative businesses to enliven Lowell as a place to live, work and visit. The planning efforts were led by a Steering Committee chaired by Howard Amidon of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, Latifah Philips of the Lowell Public Schools, and Allison Lamey of the Lowell Plan & the Lowell Development and Financial Corporation.  

Attendees at Thursday’s event were treated to performances by Angkor Dance Troupe and the Afro Percussionists from Lowell Community Public Charter School and were served food from a cross-section of Lowell’s diverse eateries.  

Angela Ales, a member of the Mosaic Lowell Steering Committee and a local artist and faculty member at Middlesex Community College, spoke during the event. “There is definitely a lot to like about Lowell, and Mosaic has been and will be the fundamental force of Lowell’s renaissance. Lowell is becoming a destination. We are attracting new audiences due to our many cultural, creative, and artistic organizations, not just because of our wonderful Folk Fest and our Industrial Revolution history. As an artist myself, I am prospering from this new visibility. It is part of Mosaic’s mission, to position arts, culture, and the creative economy as core elements of Lowell’s strategic master planning for the future.”

The final plan is available online at www.mosaiclowell.org. Individuals interested in participating in the implementation of the plan are encouraged to connect with the Mosaic Lowell team online or via social media.  

About Mosaic Lowell  — Mosaic Lowell is a arts, cultural and creative economy plan for the City of Lowell. Lowell is a community of vibrant and diverse cultures, arts, and commerce. Throughout this captivating historical City, one can savor contemporary and classical cuisines and cultures of the world and experience a wide variety of art, dance, theater, music, and spoken word.

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