Mass Cultural Council Infuses nearly 400 Cultural Nonprofits with $7.2M in Operating Support

BOSTON – Today Mass Cultural Council announces the 398 recipients of Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) organizational support grants, through the Operating Grants for Organizations and Cultural Investment Portfolio programs. In total, $7.2 million is being awarded, a critical public investment into to the cultural sector.   Both programs offer multi-year funding to cultural nonprofits, the awards are unrestricted and are intended to help the recipients with financial stability, allowing them to use the funds to target any operating need.   “Across Massachusetts, cultural organizations keep our communities vibrant by bringing people together through creativity, history and diverse perspectives,” said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “These investments fortify cultural nonprofits, empowering them to focus on what matters most – their mission, their people, and their community – so they can adapt, endure, and continue uplifting spirits across the Commonwealth.”   As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities.   This year, these programs are continuing their multi-year investment into 301 previously approved nonprofits, as well as welcoming 67 newly approved Operating Grants for Organizations recipients. The FY26 grant round was extremely competitive, as Mass Cultural Council received 368 eligible applications. Funding 67 new organizations represents a success rate of just over 18%.   The 67 new grantees are small, mid and large organizations, reporting operating budgets ranging from $52,000 to $4.6 million a year.  54 of the 67 new organizations are receiving operating support for the first time from Mass Cultural Council. 34% of the 67 organizations self-describe as being BIPOC-centered, meaning they are led by, or primarily serve, communities that are Black, Indigenous, or comprised of People of Color. Last year Mass Cultural Council released a Cultural Asset Inventory, which identified more than 15,000 cultural organizations operating in Massachusetts. This data, as well as the Agency’s Strategic Plan and equity goals, continues to inform Mass Cultural Council’s program guidelines and strategic outreach.   In Massachusetts, arts and culture generate $29.7 billion annually, support over 130,000 jobs, and contribute 4% of the state’s economy. Yet new national data from SMU DataArts, the country’s leading center for arts research, reveal mounting financial pressures on cultural nonprofits. Against this backdrop, Mass Cultural Council’s grant investments are not only timely, but essential to sustaining the sector’s vitality and resilience.   “We are extremely pleased that we connected with 54 new cultural organizations this year who have never benefitted from our operating support programs in the past,” said Bobbitt. “Our mandate from the governing Council is to equitably invest our public resources into as many eligible recipients as possible, and I am thrilled to welcome these new organizations into our programming.”   The complete FY26 funding lists for the Cultural Investment Portfolio and Operating Grants for Organizations programs are available online. Some examples of first-time recipients and their programming include:   Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, Chatham Through their Shark Smart Beach program, AWSC educators set up an outreach booth on popular, local beaches to engage with the public and answer questions about white shark activity and behaviors, promote Shark Smart guidelines, and direct beachgoers to the resources available to them on white shark research.   Bellforge Arts Center, Medfield Bellforge has created an arts center located in two buildings in the heart of the historic former State Hospital campus in Medfield. The buildings are being preserved and renovated to create the Bellforge Arts Center: a performing arts, music, culture, and education center, with a flexible 300-seat performance venue, classrooms, artist studios, and rehearsal spaces. Their plans for further development include dance/movement studios, accommodations for artists-in-residence, a black box theater, a community makerspace, and a culinary arts center with commercial kitchens for entrepreneurs, visiting chefs, and classes.   Circus Up, Watertown This organization teaches many disciplines of circus, including juggling and object manipulation, balance skills (stilts, unicycles, tightwire, and globe), partner acrobatics, tumbling, and aerials. In addition to circus education, we also engage in activities such as team-building games (to support skills such as communication and trust), collaborative challenges, and physical puzzles (to foster problem-solving and creativity), as well as formal check-ins at the beginning and end of classes (developing strong relationships, along with a structured routine).   Drug Story Theater, Marshfield Drug Story Theater takes teens in the early stages of recovery, teaches them improvisational theater, and helps them craft their own unique stories into a play about their seduction of, addiction to and recovery from drugs and alcohol. The play is then performed for middle school, high school, college and community audiences so “the treatment of one becomes the prevention of many.”   Hilltown Youth Performing Arts Program, Heath The Theatre brings together student-performers from all over the region to train and collaborate on theatrical productions at a high level. It is part of an effort to use theater to create a larger sense of community that transcends buildings and school campuses. It instills in young people a sense of place and a passion for the arts. The program serves youth of diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and gender identities. The Theater’s year-round after-school program and summer camp supports a high proportion of disadvantaged youth in Western Massachusetts who otherwise would not have access to arts and culture.   Multiverse Concert Series, Boston Multiverse offers multidisciplinary programs which feature sophisticated and specialized visual productions, original live music specifically composed for the production, and educational presentations from scientists working at the forefront of their field. Their core partner venues include the Museum of Science, Boston, Christa McAuliffe Center, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and Harvard Museum of Natural History. Alongside general audience programming, they make onsite presentations at public schools throughout the Commonwealth, generally middle schools and high schools, offered at low or no cost to the school.   3rd Eye Youth Empowerment, New Bedford 3rd Eye is a dynamic, all-volunteer, youth development organization dedicated to empowering young leaders and transforming communities through skill-based mentoring, the arts, and grassroots activism. The name "3rd Eye" symbolizes the ability to critically evaluate and engage with life’s situations—an approach rooted in the core values of hip hop culture. By focusing on economic and social equality, 3rd Eye is committed to creating spaces where youth can find their voices and actively participate in driving positive social change.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Issues Evidence-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance to Ensure Access for Residents

Healey-Driscoll Administration Issues Evidence-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance to Ensure Access for Residents  

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today released COVID-19 vaccine guidance for 2025-2026, protecting access for residents in Massachusetts and reaffirming the state’s commitment to science, equity, and public health leadership. 

The guidance recommends children ages six to 23 months, and all adults receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as those at higher risk for disease or exposure, those who are pregnant or lactating, and those who are immunocompromised. The guidance also reflects a consensus statement from the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a group of state public health agencies across the region that share information and ideas about public health issues, including vaccination.  

The administration is issuing this guidance prior to the scheduled meeting of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Thursday and Friday of this week to review data and vote on national vaccine recommendations. 

“We are not going to let Donald Trump or Robert Kennedy take away your ability to make your own health care decisions,” said Governor Healey. “Massachusetts will continue to lead with science and protect access to life-saving vaccines. We are taking this action today so the people of Massachusetts know that you will continue to be able to get the vaccines you want and need – no matter what happens at the federal level.” 

“Vaccines remain the most effective public health intervention of the past century – they have saved millions of lives,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Massachusetts has never backed away from doing what is hard when it is also right. Today, we are protecting our residents by providing recommendations for COVID vaccinations that are grounded in evidence and science, driven by equity, and shaped by the lived experiences of our communities.”  

This guidance is based on an extensive review of current scientific data and aligns with professional society recommendations, including those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet September 18-19 to review data and vote on national vaccine recommendations. Massachusetts is announcing its 2025-2026 guidance now – before ACIP issues its recommendations and before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finalizes their recommendations – to provide residents in Massachusetts with the best available science and the guidance of leading medical organizations. 

In the past few weeks, several steps have been ordered by Governor Healey to ensure that vaccines remain available to Massachusetts residents of all ages, while President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. restrict access to vaccines and make cuts to public health across the country.  

Commissioner Goldstein signed a standing order authorizing pharmacists to vaccinate all eligible individuals who want to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Also, the Division of Insurance and DPH issued a bulletin requiring insurers to cover the cost of recommended vaccines for their members. In addition, the Board of Registration in Pharmacy met to authorize pharmacists to administer any vaccine recommended by the Commissioner, regardless of federal actions. Massachusetts is also part of a public health collaboration with states in New England and across the Northeast committed to safeguarding public health as the federal government backs away from its responsibilities. 

“We urge ACIP to adopt recommendations that align with the evidence-based approach we are taking,” said Governor Healey. “This is a defining moment when public health must step forward and stand firmly with the communities we serve. No matter what happens, we will continue to take every step we can to follow science and protect health care access in Massachusetts.” 

2025-2026 COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance 
Adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative 

Population	Recommendation
Children 6-23 months	Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended for all children in this age group.
Children and adolescents 2-18 years	Vaccination is recommended for those who:  Are at high risk for severe COVID-19  Live in a long-term care facility or other congregate setting  Have never been vaccinated against COVID-19  Have household members at high risk for severe COVID-19    Healthy children and adolescents in this age group may be vaccinated.
Adults 19-64 years	Vaccination is recommended for all adults, especially those who:   Have risk factors for severe disease (e.g., chronic conditions, immunocompromised status)  Are at higher risk of exposure (e.g., health care workers, residents or staff of congregate care settings)  Live with or care for individuals at high risk of severe disease    Healthy adults in this age group may be vaccinated.
Adults 65 years and older	Vaccination is recommended for all individuals in this age group.
Pregnant and lactating individuals	Vaccination is recommended for those who are pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, recently pregnant, or lactating.   May be vaccinated in any trimester.  No need to stop or delay breastfeeding.  No need to delay pregnancy after vaccination.
Immuno-compromised individuals	Should consult their health care provider regarding the need for additional doses.

High-risk conditions include chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, metabolic disorders (including diabetes and obesity), hematologic disease, neurologic conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, rheumatologic disease, and other serious underlying medical conditions. 

The full Massachusetts 2025-2026 vaccine guidance and the Northeast Public Health Collaborative’s consensus statement are available at mass.gov/VaccineGuidance.

Governor Healey Nominates Three Attorneys to District Court

 Governor Healey Nominates Three Attorneys to District Court 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today nominated Tonomey Coleman, Mark Fabiano and Becky Michaels to serve as Associate Justices of the District Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“All three of these nominees have decades of experience and will work hard to uphold the law across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I am excited to see Tonomey, Mark and Becky bring fresh perspectives to the bench and help our residents navigate the court system.” 

“I am excited to work with the Governor’s Council to advance all these nominees, who will excel on the District Court,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.  

The District Court Department hears a wide range of criminal, civil, housing, juvenile, mental health, and other types of cases. District Court criminal jurisdiction extends to all felonies punishable by a sentence up to five years, and many other specific felonies with greater potential penalties, all misdemeanors, and all violations of city and town ordinances and by-laws. In civil matters, the District Court hears cases in which the damages are not likely to be more than $50,000 and small claims cases up to $7,000. The District Court is located in 62 courts across the state. 

Governor Healey has already nominated 25 attorneys to the District Court:   Heath Antonio,   Patrick Burke, Lisa Core, Frederick DeCubellis, Brian Doxtader, Leo Fama, Stuart Hurowitz, Edward Kacasinas, Francis V. Kenneally, Sarah Kennedy, Edward Jr. Krippendorf, Cara Krysil, Courtney C. Linnehan, Lauren Greene, Hilary McCamic, Suzanne McDonough, Jerry Parisella, Polly Phillips, William Powers, Joanna Rodriguez, Gegory Teran, Marjorie P. Tynes, Amanda Ward, Liza Williamson  Hector Zumbado.  

For more information about the District Court, visit their homepage. 

About the Nominees: 

Tonomey Coleman is currently the Acting Chair of the Massachusetts Parole Board where he has served as a member on since 2013. He is responsible for conducting parole hearings and helping decide whether to grant, rescind, or revoke parole, set conditions of parole, and make recommendations to the Governor in regard to pardons and commutations. Prior to his appointment to the Parole Board, Attorney Coleman spent nearly 20 years in private practice where he handled a broad range of civil and criminal matters in both the state and federal courts. Additionally, Attorney Coleman has served on the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes since 2019 and was the President of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association from 2001-2002. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College and a Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School.   

Mark Fabiano has served as an Assistant Clerk-Magistrate at the Wrentham District Court for six years, where he is responsible for evaluating criminal complaints for probable cause, reviewing search and arrest warrants, and presiding over small claims cases. Prior to that, Attorney Fabiano was a founder and Managing Partner of the Fabiano Law Firm and led the criminal defense and business litigation practices. He has represented clients in a broad range of civil and criminal matters in the District and Superior Courts and has served as court-appointed counsel in criminal cases through the Norfolk Bar Advocate Program. Prior to entering private practice, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted criminal cases in the District and Superior Courts and served as the Supervising Assistant District Attorney in the Wrentham District Court and Dedham District Court. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Redlands and a Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School.   

Becky Michaels since 2012 has served as an Assistant District Attorney and, since 2019, as the Director of Community Prosecution Projects at the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office. She helped create and chairs the office’s Conviction Integrity Committee, Equity in Prosecution Committee and the Brady Committee, and has also helped develop and manage the office’s Drug Diversion and Treatment Program, Restorative Justice Diversion Program, and Adult Diversion Program. Previously, Attorney Michaels served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Government Bureau of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office where she represented government agencies in legal challenges. She began her legal career serving as a judicial clerk on the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College and a Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law

MAYOR WU, ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND CHINATOWN RESIDENTS BREAK GROUND ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 55 HUDSON STREET

MAYOR WU, ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND CHINATOWN RESIDENTS BREAK GROUND ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AT 55 HUDSON STREET   New development will create 110 affordable homes and a permanent Chinatown branch of the Boston Public Library

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 17, 2025 – Mayor Michelle Wu today joined the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), the Boston Public Library (BPL), the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH), the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department (PFD), the City of Boston’s Planning Department, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), MassHousing, elected officials, and community partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Parcel R-1 redevelopment at 55 Hudson Street in Chinatown. The project will bring 110 affordable homes and a new permanent Chinatown branch of the Boston Public Library to the neighborhood, turning a city-owned parking lot into a community anchor. The 12-story, mixed-use building will include 66 affordable rental apartments and 44 affordable homeownership units, built above a two-story, 17,000-square-foot library. This development fulfills a decades-long request from Chinatown residents for a permanent library while ensuring that working families can continue to call the neighborhood home. “55 Hudson Street will bring new affordable housing units and a vibrant library branch to Chinatown, supporting residents with the resources they need,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am thankful for the leadership of the Asian Community Development Corporation and the incredible collaboration between our City departments, which allowed this groundbreaking project to come to life. As we work to make Boston a home for everyone, these new additions to Chinatown will ensure that Boston remains a city where our communities can thrive.” “It has never been a more critical time to be building more affordable housing units in the City of Boston, particularly in Chinatown. Not only will the community see 100 new affordable units with this project, but it will also bring about a new Chinatown branch library, helping fulfill a long promise to the people of this neighborhood,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “I want to thank the Mayor for her support of this project and for her steadfast commitment to the Chinatown community. I also want to thank the Asian Community Development Corporation and the countless other people in the community who made this project a reality.”  “This project is more than new housing and a library, it’s an investment in the long-term stability of Chinatown,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “55 Hudson creates affordable homes for families at a range of incomes, while also adding a permanent space for learning and gathering. It represents the kind of community-centered development that strengthens neighborhoods and keeps Boston affordable for generations to come.” Chinatown has not had a permanent library branch in nearly 70 years. In 2018, a temporary 1,500-square-foot branch opened in the basement of the China Trade Center at 2 Boylston Street. The new branch library will provide state-of-the-art spaces and expanded services that reflect the needs and aspirations of the community: reflecting and reinforcing the culture of the Chinatown community, providing multi-generational gathering space, and providing services to support the community’s needs.  “ACDC is honored to lead this project in partnership with the City of Boston and the Chinatown community,” said Angie Liou, Executive Director of ACDC. “For decades, community activists and residents have fought against urban renewal and gentrification in Chinatown. By creating affordable housing opportunities and a permanent home for the Chinatown Library, this development will complete the reknitting of the fabric of historic Hudson Street.”  The branch will feature more than 7,000 square feet of space dedicated to collections and reading areas, as well as separate teen and children’s spaces. Additionally, it will include nearly 4,000 square feet of community and multi-generational gathering spaces, including a community room with a capacity for 100 people.  “This is a truly historic day,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. “After nearly 70 years, it is time to return a permanent branch library to the Chinatown community. We are grateful to Mayor Wu for the capital investments that make this possible, and we are especially grateful to the Chinatown community and many generations of young advocates for their decades-long, fierce advocacy for library services. We look forward to significantly expanding access to learning, technology, and connection for all of Chinatown’s residents and visitors.” “MassHousing is proud to be part of this visionary project creating 110 new homes and building a vibrant community space for the residents of Chinatown,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. The design, led by Stantec, features a glazed brick and glass façade and energy-efficient elements, including LED lighting programmed with animation sequences at night. The project is part of Boston’s Housing with Public Assets initiative, which utilizes public land to deliver affordable housing paired with essential neighborhood resources. “This groundbreaking is the culmination of decades of advocacy by the Chinatown community for affordable housing and a neighborhood branch of the Boston Public Library,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “I am proud we were able to offer this public land to create new, affordable homes and a vital community space which Bostonians will use for decades to come. Thank you to the many staff people involved in this process, and of course to the community for their collaboration.” “The Community Preservation Act was designed to ensure Boston invests in lasting community assets,” said Thadine Brown, Director of the Community Preservation Office. “By helping fund 55 Hudson, we’re supporting both affordable housing and a permanent library — resources that will strengthen Chinatown for generations. This project shows how CPA dollars can directly improve quality of life for residents while preserving the character and vitality of our neighborhoods.” “We are proud to be building the new Chinatown Branch Library through a first-of-its-kind collaboration that combines affordable housing with a vital public asset,” said Carleton Jones, Executive Director of the Public Facilities Department. “This project, made possible through partnership with several City departments, the Asian Community Development Corporation, and designers Utile and Stantec, will create a modern, multigenerational hub that reflects Chinatown’s culture and identity while meeting the community’s evolving needs.” The 55 Hudson Street project builds on years of planning and advocacy for affordable housing and community facilities in Chinatown. It reflects Mayor Wu’s commitment to making Boston a home for everyone. To expand affordable housing across the city, Mayor Wu has directed new financial resources into mixed-income housing, commissioned a public land audit to maximize the use of City-owned land, and streamlined approval processes to cut permitting times by more than 25 percent. She has also advanced changes to zoning and development policies, including Linkage and Inclusionary Zoning, that are helping drive the creation of affordable housing by private developers. These efforts, combined with new developments like 55 Hudson Street, are bringing more affordable housing to neighborhoods across Boston.

Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council Awards $25.5 Million in Tax Credits to Businesses to Create, Retain Jobs   Projects include investments in Hasbro, Voya Financial, and more; Tax credits will help spur 1,318 new jobs and more than $309 million in private investment

BOSTON - Today, the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved 11 projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), a program that seeks to create new jobs and help businesses grow by offering credits to lower taxes in exchange for job creation commitments.   These projects are expected to create 1,318 net new jobs, retain 1,262 jobs statewide, and leverage more than $309 million in private investment in exchange for $25.5 million in state tax credits. Seven of this round’s applicants are manufacturers and four are projects located in Gateway Cities. Included in this round’s award recipients is Hasbro, Inc., which will relocate its Rhode Island operations to Massachusetts, a move celebrated by Governor Healey earlier this month.   “Through the Mass Leads Act, we strengthened the Economic Development Incentive Program to make it more accessible, transparent, and focused on what matters most: helping businesses grow and create jobs here in Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. "These awards show that when we partner with companies across industries, we can attract major investments, expand opportunities in every region, and keep Massachusetts the best place to do business.”  “We’re proud to award 11 new Economic Development Incentive Program awards this round,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “With these awards, businesses now have resources to renovate facilities, invest in new manufacturing equipment, and create new jobs, driving economic growth in Gateway Cities and other regions.”  "Massachusetts makes smart investments that give our business community the resources they need to thrive,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “This round of Economic Development Incentive Program awards reflects the strength of our economy in important sectors like advanced manufacturing, climatetech, R&D technology, and the creative economy, and demonstrates our commitment to creating high-quality jobs across every region of the state.”  EDIP is designed to foster job creation and stimulate business growth. A company that participates in EDIP may receive state tax credits in exchange for a commitment to create new jobs, retain existing jobs, and commit private investment to the project. This new round of tax credits is the second set of awards since the Healey-Driscoll announced reforms to EDIP in April. Initiated by the Mass Leads Act, the new EDIP increases flexibility, transparency, and access for businesses, strengthening Massachusetts’ position as a top business environment.    The EDIP certified projects include:   Hasbro, Inc. – Boston  Hasbro is a leading games, IP and toy company known for iconic brands such as Monopoly, Play-Doh, Transformers and Magic: The Gathering. The company will invest $25 million in the project and create 700 jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $14 million in EDIP tax credits.  Voya Financial Inc. – Boston  Voya provides clients with a variety of financial services, including retirement, investment, and insurance. The project involves the opening of Voya's first Boston office, including an investment of $4 million and the creation of 220 net new full-time professional service jobs between October 2025 and December 2029. The EACC approved $3.3 million in EDIP tax credits.  Saint Gobain Ceramics & Plastics Inc. – Northborough  Saint Gobain is a material manufacturer seeking to invest $120 million to turn its 26-acre campus into a world-class innovation center in Northborough and Marlborough. The project investment of $120 million will result in 13 net new jobs and the consolidation of approximately 50 jobs from other Massachusetts locations. The EACC approved $195,000 in EDIP tax credits.  Precision Optics Corporation Inc. – Littleton  Precision Optics manufactures optical medical devices for surgical and diagnostic procedures. The company will invest $2.6 million to relocate its corporate headquarters from Gardner to Littleton and expand operations, resulting in 86 new jobs. The EACC approved $1,290,000 in EDIP tax credits.  Entegris Inc. – Billerica  Entegris is an advanced manufacturing company that is planning a $100 million expansion of its headquarters, manufacturing, lab and R&D space. This project would include the retention of 439 existing jobs and creation of 200 new jobs. The EACC approved $3.5 million in EDIP tax credits.  Franklin Community Cooperative – Greenfield  The Franklin Community Cooperative is a cooperatively owned grocer operating two stores, Green Fields Market in Greenfield and McCusker's Market in Shelburne Falls. The project involves the relocation of the Green Fields Market to the former Wilson's Department Store in downtown Greenfield. The investment of $23.4 million will allow the co-op to increase its total retail space and create 20 new jobs. The EACC approved $300,000 in EDIP tax credits.  Trafa Pharmaceutical – Chicopee  Trafa Pharmaceutical is a distributor of health supplements. The company plans to construct a 50,000-square-foot distribution building that will allow for the consolidation of three warehouse buildings into a single facility and will result in 15 net new jobs. The EACC approved $225,000 in EDIP tax credits for this project.  Jain Americas – Pittsfield  Jain Americas is a manufacturer that serves the sign, display and graphic arts industries with extruded polycarbonate sheets and PVC sheets. The company intends to invest $8.5 million to purchase a building in Pittsfield and manufacturing equipment that will allow it to produce building exteriors like siding, trim, and shingles. The project will result in 31 new permanent jobs. The EACC approved $465,000 in EDIP tax credits.  Noble Carbon – Pittsfield  Noble Carbon is an energy management company that designs and manufactures smart circuit breakers to enable electrification and help homes and businesses optimize their energy usage and bills. The project involves the investment of $570,000 and the creation of six new jobs. The EACC approved $105,000 in EDIP tax credits.  Garden Properties & Development – Williamstown  Garden Properties will invest $7.7 million to rehabilitate the long-vacant Orchards Hotel in Williamstown into a fully operational hospitality venue with lodging, restaurant, and event space. The project will create 19 full-time jobs, eliminate blight, and support tourism and local economic development. The EACC approved $285,000 in EDIP tax credits.  AM Lithography – Holyoke  AM Lithography is a veteran-owned commercial printing, secondary packaging, and large format print business that has experienced significant growth. The project involves the investment of $8 million to relocate operations from Chicopee to Holyoke, retaining 124 jobs in Massachusetts and creating eight net new jobs. The EACC approved $1,860,000 in EDIP tax credits.  The Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) reviews and approves Economic Development Incentive Program projects and tax credit incentives. The EACC is part of the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), which assists businesses expanding in and relocating to Massachusetts, with specific attention paid to projects that create and retain jobs and invest capital. The MOBD team provides a highly responsive, central point of contact that facilitates access to resources, expertise, and incentive programs for businesses.

Boch 中心舒伯特劇院 10/3-5 推出「龍與地下城：二十面酒館 」觀眾參與角色扮演劇

公關公司提供。

(Boston Orange 編譯)「龍與地下城：二十面酒館 （DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern）」隆重宣布，10月3日至10月5日在波士頓舒伯特劇院(Boch Center Shubert Theatre)的晚間場次，邀得知名馬戲團表演者與社群媒體名人Jack Lepiarz以特別來賓「Mischief」身份，加入演出。

「龍與地下城」是全球最棒的角色扮演遊戲之一。這次隆重推出的「龍與地下城：二十面酒館」屢獲殊榮，把觀眾帶離桌面，走入舞台，還每一場演出都是結合喜劇、情感與驚險刺激的沉浸式劇場體驗，和觀眾一起塑造出獨一無二的故事情節。

Jack Lepiarz。（公關公司提供。）

Jack Lepiarz以「Jacques Ze Whipper」這藝名廣為人知，是一位備受推崇的馬戲團表演者和社群媒體名人。他以在文藝復興節慶上精湛的甩鞭表演而聞名，並在線上吸引了超過三百萬粉絲的追蹤。

波士頓場次的演員陣容，除了Jack Lepiarz之外，還有近期在紐約市備受好評的製作團隊成員，包括：Will Champion，RJ Christian，Jasmin Malave，Conner Marx，R. Alex Murray，Madelyn Murphy，Diego F. Salinas，Cassidy Sledge，Alex Stompoly等人。

購票可洽舒伯特劇院售票處：265 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116，線上購票：bocenter.org，電話訂票：(866) 348-9738。六人以上團體訂票，聯繫groups@bochcenter.org。

Jack Lepiarz will embark on the journey in Boston from October 3–5, 2025. 

(BOSTON, MA) (AUGUST 20, 2025) –DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern is thrilled to announce that celebrated circus performer and social media personality Jack Lepiarz (“Jacques ze Whipper”) will join the Tavern as “Mischief” during the Boston engagement from October 3 to October 5, 2025, at the Boch Center Shubert Theatre during the evening performances only.

 

Tickets for the Boston engagement of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern are available at the Shubert Theatre box office [265 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116], by visiting bochcenter.org, or by calling (866) 348-9738. Group orders of six or more may be placed by contacting groups@bochcenter.org. 

Jack Lepiarz (“Jacques ze Whipper”) joins previously announced cast members direct from the recent ground-breaking New York City production, including Will Champion, RJ Christian, Jasmin Malave, Conner Marx, R. Alex Murray, Madelyn Murphy, Diego F. Salinas, Cassidy Sledge and Alex Stompoly. 

 

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game® introduces DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern. This award-winning immersive theater experience takes audiences beyond the tabletop and onto the stage where each performance combines comedy, emotion, and thrilling moments to deliver a unique narrative shaped by the audience. 

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game®, introduces DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern. This award-winning immersive theater experience takes audiences beyond the tabletop and onto the stage where each performance combines comedy, emotion, and thrilling moments to deliver a unique narrative shaped by the audience.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern was created by David Carpenter and co-produced by David Carpenter and Showpath Entertainment Ltd under license by Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast.

Mass Cultural Council Launches FY26 Grants for Creative Individuals

Funding Opportunity: Mass Cultural Council Launches FY26 Grants for Creative Individuals

BOSTON – Applications are now being accepted to Mass Cultural Council’s Grants for Creative Individuals FY26 grant round.   This funding opportunity provides unrestricted grants of $5,000 to Massachusetts artists, culture bearers, and creative practitioners to equitably advance creative expression throughout our diverse communities. Mass Cultural Council expects to invest $2.27 million into the program this year, awarding up to 454 grants in total. As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. These grants are available for Massachusetts residents who are active in any artistic/creative discipline. This is Mass Cultural Council’s primary grant program to support individual artists, with eligible disciplines including: community-based arts, crafts, design, digital, film/video, folk/world/traditional arts, native/indigenous arts, literature, music, performance, photography, theater, visual arts, and other diverse cultural experiences.   Key dates for the FY26 Grants for Creative Individuals program include: Application Opens - September 16, 2025 Info Session - September 18, 2025 (ASL interpretation and live captions will be provided) Próximamente estará disponible una sesión informativa virtual en español. Applications Due - October 28, 2025 (11:59PM) Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines for more information, including eligibility rules and instructions on how to apply.   For information and to stay up to date on other Mass Cultural Council funding opportunities this fiscal year, prospective applicants are encouraged to follow the Agency on social media - @MassCultural – or sign up to receive the monthly Power of Culture e-newsletter.