2020 Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grant Recipients Announced
Apr 03, 2020
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), as a member of the Fort Point Channel Operations Board (FPCOB), has awarded four grants totaling over $50,000 to art, education and community organizations with plans for activating the Fort Point Channel watersheet for the 2020 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 public events, art installations, and educational opportunities.
The four grantees are proven non-profit organizations that have successfully delivered waterfront activation programs in the past. They fulfill many of the grant criteria, including equity and inclusion by introducing Boston students to the beauty of our waterfront, year-round activation through public programming and art installations and activation of the watersheet itself through boat programs.
The grant program builds on the goals of the Fort Point Watersheet Activation Plan, a BPDA planning process that involved local residents, business owners and stakeholders to create a vision for Fort Point channel as a location for public activation and use. The Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Grant Program is funded by the Chapter 91 Waterways Regulations License for Atlantic Wharf, developed by Boston Properties.
2020 Winning Projects
Fort Point Arts Community 2020 Floating Public Art Series
Applicant: Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC)
Award: $16,000
Building on the successful growth of FPAC’s Floating Art Program, this funding will bring two new and engaging temporary floating public art projects to the Fort Point Channel and Harborwalk in 2021. These public art projects will continue to increase the visibility of Fort Point as a cultural destination.
Boston Rowing Center Adult Rowing and Lunchtime Livery Program
Applicant: Hull Lifesaving Museum
Award: $12,000
The Hull Lifesaving Museum will use this grant to continue bringing participants to their Boston Rowing Center in Fort Point Channel for fitness, exploration and community, beginning with the annual Fort Point Open Rowing Race and continuing through the year with weekly adult rowing outings. New this year, the Hull Lifesaving Museum has begun a series of workshops for adult rowing members to learn more about boating safety, navigation, and Boston’s maritime heritage.
Brown Box Theatre Project 2020-2021 Season: Much Ado About Nothing
Applicant: Brown Box Theatre Project
Award: $13,000
As part of the Brown Box Theatre Project’s tenth season of free theater on the Fort Point Channel, the organization will present Much Ado About Nothing for their annual Shakespeare offering. The grant will also help fund two additional productions as part of the 2021 season, which have yet to be determined.
Discovering Fort Point Channel
Applicant: “e”, Inc.
Award: $9,692
For the past six summers, “e” inc., a planet science learning and action center, has used this grant funding to provide free daily field trips to Fort Point Channel for youth from various urban summer camps and social service centers to enjoy hands-on science lessons on the Fort Point Channel in July and August.