CCF is pleased to announce two new grants totaling $13,150 through our Arrow Street Arts Fund, supporting local artists who enrich Cambridge’s cultural landscape and create meaningful connections across communities.
Since its launch in fall 2023, the fund has invested over $100,000 in local performing arts organizations, addressing a critical need in our arts ecosystem: access to affordable performance space for historically underrepresented artists. Through our partnership with Arrow Street Arts, we’re ensuring their voices have a stage in the heart of Harvard Square.
Meet our Winter 2025 grantees:
Asian American Ballet Project presents “Receding and Reemerging,” a ballet exploring themes of cultural memory and future possibilities through Asian American perspectives. The program features a Japanese American reimagining of Spectre de la Rose and a Philippine Forest tale, showcasing the talents and stories of AAPI dancers and choreographers.
Theater Offensive, Inc. hosts the “Queer Republic Festival,” a four -day celebration showcasing original theater, dance, and workshops created by queer and trans artists of color from historically underrepresented communities. Culminating from a 22-month residency program, the festival amplifies these voices while fostering connection, cultural dialogue, and creative innovation in Cambridge.
“These artists represent the incredible diversity and talent of Cambridge’s creative community that needs to be fostered,” said CCF President Geeta Pradhan. “Art gives us a powerful medium to express ourselves authentically and to connect with others across differences.”
The Arrow Street Arts Fund is a key component of CCF’s broader commitment to arts and cultural vitality, which is a focus area of the social cohesion pillar of our strategic plan. The first step of this strategy—to strengthen and expand the local arts and culture ecosystem—is currently under development, with a new arts and culture strategic initiative launching this spring.
According to research, arts and culture amplify the four drivers of social cohesion: relationships, a sense of belonging, an orientation toward the common good, and a willingness to participate. The arts promote shared experiences, facilitate communication and understanding, and encourage empathy and connection among people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
The Arrow Street Arts Fund is driven by research showing that a key barrier for local artists is limited access to performance spaces, largely due to the cost of rent and related fees. This challenge was documented by the 2019 Cambridge Mayor’s Arts Task Force, which noted the increasing displacement of artists in Cambridge—a situation that only worsened during the pandemic.
To learn more about the Arrow Street Arts Fund visit cambridgecf.org/arrow-street-arts-fund.
