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The BRA and Fort Point Channel Operations Board announce 2014 Watersheet Activation Grant Awardees

May 30, 2014

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) recently awarded seven grants to art, education, and community groups with plans for activating the Fort Point watersheet for the 2014 season.

Grant applicants were asked to submit project ideas that would develop creative water-based programming around the edges of the channel or construct capital improvements within the Channel. The grant program is part of the Fort Point Watersheet Activation Plan, established in 2002 by the Mayor's Office and the BRA to spearhead a vision for a “Boston Common on the water.” The Plan created a map of cultural activities and year round programming and is proof that collaboration between the City, landowners, nonprofit and cultural leaders, and residents is a success.

“Fort Point is an exciting and vibrant part of our city,” said Mayor Walsh. “I’m pleased these grants will support the neighborhood's art and children’s programming, which are cornerstones of the community. I want to thank the Fort Point Channel Operations board for its partnership, and I applaud the awardees for their creative initiatives.”

The Pilot Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grant Program is funded by the Chapter 91 Waterways Regulations License for Atlantic Wharf and developer Boston Properties.

2014 Winning Projects:

My Sky Outdoor Activities Program

Applicant: Boston Children's Museum
Award: $6,000
The Boston Children's Museum, located on the Fort Point waterfront, will present a series of family-friendly daytime and Friday evening programs related to astronomy. The activities will be a companion to a new astronomy exhibit opening in July called My Sky.

FPAC's Temporary Public Series on the Fort Point Channel and Harborwalk

Applicant: Fort Point Arts Community, Inc. (FPAC)
Award: $11,000
The Fort Point Arts Community will offer two temporary art programs this summer, one alongside the channel, and one on the water within the Fort Point "Art Basin". Both projects will be developed and curated through juried calls to FPAC members, and will include free programming and activities for the public.

Urban Waters

Applicant: "e" inc.
Award: $7,160
"e" inc. will offer a six-week, hands-on Urban Waters educational program from July 7 through August 15, 2014. The program will be open to children from different summer camps, community centers, and Boys and Girls clubs. Each group will experience a one-day program that includes science lessons, a rowing experience, and an art activity.

Brown Box Theater Project 2014-2015 Theatrical Season

Applicant: Brown Box Theatre Project
Award: $10,000
Brown Box Theatre Project will offer classic and contemporary free productions on Atlantic Wharf from summer 2014 through spring 2015. Planned productions include Macbeth, Constellations, Spike Heels, and Rosencrantz & Gildenstern Are Dead.

In the Summer House

Applicant: Fort Point Theatre Channel, Inc.
Award: $5,000
Fort Point Theatre Channel will stage eight free performances of In the Summer House at Waterfront Square, Atlantic Wharf, October 16 -25, 2014.

Fort Point Channel Lunchtime Livery and Home Waters Programs

Applicant: Hull Lifesaving Museum
Award: $10,000
The Hull Life Saving Museum will operate two programs on the Fort Point Channel this summer. The first, Lunchtime Livery, will offer rowboat rentals in July and August. The second program, Home Waters, will offer an experimental rowing education program for adults and youth.

Tidraphone

Applicants: Kate Balug, Dana Busch, Alyson Fletcher, Conor MacDonald, Siqi Zhu, Danielle Pillion
Award: $4,500
The Tidraphone will be installed in front of the Intercontinental Hotel. Its pipes extend into the water at various lengths, and as the tide changes so will the tones of each pipe. Passersby will be invited to strike the instrument with a mallet or other implement to make music.

The Tidraphone rendering featured above is by Dana Busch.

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