2017 Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grants Announced
May 05, 2017
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), in conjunction with the Fort Point Channel Operations Board (FPCOB), has awarded five grants totaling $50,300 to art, education, and community groups with plans for activating the Fort Point Channel watersheet for the 2017 season.
Grant applicants were asked to submit creative proposals for water-based programming in and around Fort Point that will benefit the general public, including such things as new water-based infrastructure, public events, art installations, and educational opportunities.
2017 Winning Projects
Outdoor Programming at Boston Children’s Museum
Applicant: Boston Children’s Museum
Award: $10,000
The Boston Children’s Museum submitted a proposal for free, family-friendly, and educational outdoor programming on the waterfront this summer.
Brown Box Season of Free Theater
Applicant: Brown Box Theatre Project
Award: $10,000
Brown Box Theatre Project’s professional, high-quality, and free performances will return to the Fort Point Channel for the fifth year with both indoor and outdoor performances with support for professional actors and the promotion of their productions.
FPC Floating Salt Marsh
Applicant: Community Boat Building
Award: $7,239
Community Boat Building (CBB)’s mission is to bring real world experience and academic skills together to build both a sea-worthy boat and an excitement for learning among low-income elementary school students in Boston Public Schools (BPS). CBB plans to construct a floating salt marsh that will engage at-risk BPS students and reinforce STEM academics.
Discovering Fort Point Channel: A Science and Art Exploration of the Beings and Beauty of the Waterfront
Applicant: “e”, Inc.
Award: $7,061
Previous grantee “e” inc. will return with its six-week marine science education program at Atlantic Wharf on Fort Point Channel this July and August. Youth from various urban summer camps and social service centers will be able to enjoy hands-on science lessons and experience rowing in Boston Harbor.
Floating Public Art Series
Applicant: Fort Point Arts Community
Award: $16,000
The Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) will bring more floating art to the Fort Point Channel—two temporary floating public art projects timed to coincide with FPAC’s Fall and Spring Open Studio events.
About the Fort Point Watersheet Activation Plan
The grant program is part of the Fort Point Watersheet Activation Plan, established in 2002 by the Mayor's Office and the Boston Redevelopment Authority to spearhead a vision for a “Boston Common on the water.” The Plan, which proposed new cultural activities and year round programming, resulted from a successful collaborative effort between the City, the State’s Office of Coastal Zone Management, landowners, nonprofit and cultural leaders, and residents. The Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grant Program is funded by the Chapter 91 Waterways Regulations License for Atlantic Wharf, developed by Boston Properties.