CultureHouse

Thrilled to finally share the next chapter for the Harvard Square Kiosk! Honoring its historic roots, we’re transforming this beloved landmark into a cultural incubator, visitor information center, and community gathering space, called the Cambridge Kiosk. Thanks to Channel 7 News Boston for helping spread the word and to program partners CultureHouse and Cambridge Office for Tourism. Can’t wait to see this space grow into a hub for community, culture, and creativity. Two ways to get involved: 1. Interested in shaping the future of the kiosk? Apply to join our advisory committee: https://lnkd.in/eknfpyHN 2. We’re seeking artists, creatives, nonprofits, and local businesses to help bring the kiosk to life! Share your ideas with us in the interest form: https://lnkd.in/eYEx9B46 Thanks also to Katherine Watkins, Iram Farooq, Melissa Miguel, Stuart Dash, Melissa A. Peters, AICP, Charles Sullivan, Theodore Touloukian, Bryan Jereb, Cynthia Smith, FASLA, Robyn Culbertson, Kaleigh Wright, Aaron Greiner, Rishika Dhawan, Afsar Yassai, Katherine Shozawa, Meg Walker, Max Musicant, Claudia Z., Nicholas Stoutt, AIA, James Wilcox, and Owen O' Riordan.

It's both comforting and concerning to realize that many of the challenges we face in our communities are shared by others across the country. On one hand, it’s reassuring to know we’re not alone in confronting these issues. On the other, it can be frustrating to see recurring problems that impact our neighborhoods despite the diversity of locations and people. But here's where the power of collaboration comes in. When we come together to share ideas, listen to different perspectives, and learn from the successes and challenges of others, we gain valuable insights. By engaging with thought leaders, community advocates, and innovators, we spark inspiration and gather fresh solutions that can be adapted to the unique needs of our own neighborhoods. At the Neighborhood Design Center, we believe in the strength of community-driven change. Let's continue to come together, connect, and reimagine the possibilities for our neighborhoods. 🎥: International Placemaking Week 2024 Workshop: From Vacant to Vibrant - How to Create a Pop-Up Community Space, featuring speakers: Rishika Dhawan, and Aaron Greiner, and host CultureHouse

Climate grantee CultureHouse is transforming vacant lots and storefronts across Boston into pop-up spaces for social connection, community organizing, rest, and play. "The reaction we often got, which I thought was telling, was people saying, ‘I’ve been looking for something like this. I just didn’t know it was possible,’” says Executive Director Aaron Greiner. Read more about CultureHouse's work in Boston Globe Ideas.

Did you know? Dogs LOVE Gilman Pop-Up Park. And so do their hoomans! Last month, we saw many visitors of varying species thoroughly enjoying the space, plus all the exciting events that happened. Many families have even come by with their kids to play ping pong, corn hole, and swing in our hammocks. We’re not done just yet! Check out events happening in August: 🧘♀️ Interpersonal meditation and connection (register in advance) 🎤 Open-mic poetry night from artist Leticia and writer Gregory 📸 Try photographing a beautiful sunset in a workshop (open to all levels) 🍿 Screening of Timechasers, a family-friendly 90s sci-fi classic …plus weekly rotating beer gardens and vendor markets brought to you by Small Mart, Winter Hill Brewing, Notch Brewing, and Black Sheep Events! ⏰ Open daily 8 am–10 pm 🍻 Beer garden x vendor market Saturdays 12–8 pm 📍 350 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 🔗 culturehouse.cc/gilman 📸 pc to Anne Louise for some of these pics! Thank you to the City of Somerville and W. Gavin Robb for partnering with us on this project. 🤝

📣 We’re hiring! We’re seeking a full-time Community Manager to conduct community engagement activities across programs, manage projects including pop-up community spaces, and coordinate CultureHouse volunteers. Apply by August 31!

Gilman Pop-Up Park was a 💥 massive hit 💥 last month. Almost 600 people stopped by in one day! In June, we got to see: a Boston queer club run, LGBTQIA+ improv, drop-in mending circle, and community yoga. Games like corn hole and ping pong have been really popular, and our hammocks have been the perfect lounging spot for the summer. And yay for mulch! Mulch has prevented many a ping-pong from rolling into the street, which would be bad news bears. 🙈 Get ready for July with: 🍿 Movie nights 🪷 Wellness dancing workshops 🌱 Climate cafe 🎨 Art fundraiser and stitched art workshop 👯 Community movement exercises …plus weekly rotating beer gardens and vendor markets brought to you by Small Mart Market, Winter Hill Brewery, Notch Brewing, and Black Sheep Events! ⏰ Open daily 8 am–10 pm 🍻 Beer garden x vendor market Saturdays 12–8 pm 📍 350 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 🔗 culturehouse.cc/gilman Thank you to the City of Somerville and W. Gavin Robb for partnering with us on this project. 🤝

Are you a local restaurant, food truck, or caterer with tasty treats, dishes, and delights to sell? Do you want to be a part of the Gilman Pop-Up Park? We’re hungry this summer and seeking local food vendors to partner with! 🧑🍳 Email Rishika at rishika@culturehouse.cc with your interest and questions. You can write “Call for food vendor” in the subject line and we’ll get back to you with more information. 🥘😋 Visit culturehouse.cc/gilman to learn more about this project made possible with the help of City of Somerville and W. Gavin Robb.

Six days left until another round of Crewmania closes! Join the CultureHouse Crew if you haven’t already, which is a community of people who donate monthly to CultureHouse and help purchase supplies that we use daily to create fantastical community spaces. Crewmates are some of our biggest supporters, and we can’t forget to say thank you with: 📰 Urbanism musings, resources, and exclusive access into our work 👜 Super sick, limited edition CultureHouse merch and other surprises 🎟️ Early access to HQ events and invites to Crew meetups You’ll look extra cool this summer in a brand new, limited edition CultureHouse tote bag—there’s some left for new members! Visit culturehouse.cc/donate to join, or read up on Crew FAQs for details! The sea is a big, big world, so climb aboard our member-ship for the adventure of a lifetime.

Union Square, we did the damn thing. CultureHouse Union Square closed on 6/9, but we’re recollecting so many great moments we got to witness. TYSM to everyone who made this pop-up happen. We ❤️ U!! After five months of operations, we saw that: 🎲 139 events and programs happened 🫂 3,114 visitors came by to hang out 🤝 68% of visitors met someone new 👍 80% said this was a positive change in the neighborhood Everything from community yoga to fermentation how-tos, art exhibitions to council member office hours, CultureHouse Union Square really had it all. So many flavors, sounds, colors, fabrics, and textures that make up this awesome community that is Union Square, Somerville, and beyond found a home at our community pop-up. And we couldn’t be more grateful. Sit tight for an upcoming project impact report, which will detail more of CultureHouse Union Square’s impact on the community. You can also visit culturehouse.cc/union for updates!

Gilman Park is lookin’ like an icon 💅 and opens soon!! So put the camera flash on and join us this Saturday, June 15th, from 12-8 PM. Come and soak up the sun with a tall beer from Winter Hill Brewing Company; amazing makers, artisans, and vintage vendors with Small Mart Market; tasty Brazilian food from Rei da Picanha; and activities for ehhh-vuh-ree-body. 🕺🎪 Special thanks to W. Gavin Robb who designed this project and to our partners who made it possible: City of Somerville and Commonwealth Scaffold, LLC. Learn more at culturehouse.cc/gilman!