Framingham Amazing Things Arts Center Gets $29K For Greenspace Project

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Amazing Things Arts Center was awarded just under $30,000 through the Community One Stop for Growth Awards in the Fiscal Year 2023 cycle, the Commonwealth announced recently.

In total, 337 local economic development projects received funding in 169 communities, according to state records. Gov. Charlie Baker said $143 million in grants were doled out to those communities in this year's funding round.

"We are proud of our collaborative work to ensure that all 351 of MA's cities and towns have the resources, tools and support they need to drive critically important projects that provide a better quality of life for residents, and help communities plan for the future," said Baker.

Amazing Things' share of the grant money comes through the Commonwealth Places program, administered by MassDevelopment which seeks to "advance locally driven placemaking in downtown and neighborhood commercial districts in eligible communities throughout Massachusetts."

The arts center will use the funds to create a 600-square-foot urban greenspace that will occupy the front and side of the art center's historic firehouse venue.

In addition to original art, the garden will feature accessible seating, a little free library, garden beds for a collaborative Urban Garden Initiative, and free Wi-Fi.