Few destinations can compare to the historical significance, diverse cuisine, and cultural innovation of Boston. Beantown has stood at the forefront of American history since the Puritans arrived in the 1630’s. Travelers and history buffs alike will be enamored with the Freedom Trail which is a historic walking tour that highlights 16 historical sites such as the Boston Common and the USS Constitution Museum. Visitors will also find that the city is an epicurean paradise featuring almost any type of cuisine imaginable. Make sure to tantalize your taste buds at Momi Nonmi, Area Four, and Giacomo’s Ristorante.
ArtWeek is Boston’s premier culture, art, and creativity based event, and it will take place April 27 - May 6. This year’s event promises to be bigger and more inclusive than ever with more than 500 events throughout the state of Massachusetts. Regardless of taste, ArtWeek offers something for everyone. The event has found a unique way to interact with the community through it’s three creative and fun initiatives including Art of Food Gallery, Light Up the Night Gallery, and ArtWeek on the Road. The Art of Food Gallery is a showcase of local restaurants where they create unique menu items that are influenced by a piece of art, music album, or artist. Light Up the Night Gallery is an opportunity for local businesses to get involved by lighting up their skyscrapers and buildings with multicolored lights as a salute to the creative community. Wrapping up the initiatives is Art Week on the Road, which features pieces of art displayed on a variety of digital billboards on major roadways. Aside from the primary initiatives, attendees can enjoy a variety of artistic events such as learning about hip-hop dance at the Boston Common, collaborating on 3D sculptures, experiencing workshops with world-renowned artists, and more. To get a better picture of the more than 500 events, stop by the event website for more information. ResortsandLodges.com interviewed Director of Marketing & Communications for the Boch Center, Michelle Chapman, to learn more about this unmatched showcase of artistic talent.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
MC: ArtWeek is a 10-day innovative festival presented by Highland Street Foundation and produced by the Boch Center. The award-winning statewide festival features hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive, or offer behind-the-scenes access to artists or the creative process.
ArtWeek works to spotlight how the creative economy is thriving in Massachusetts by offering unique and affordable neighborhood-based events that provide increased access to art, culture, and creativity. Through community and artistic collaborations, this festival provides experiences in dance, folk and traditional arts, fashion, media arts, spoken-word, poetry, writing, contemporary visual arts, music, opera, theater, design, film, and much more.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
MC: The Boch Center launched ArtWeek in 2013 with 26 events in Boston neighborhoods, and this season, ArtWeek is launching statewide with over 500 events. The growth has been truly explosive, indicating a thirst for new, outside-the-box creative experiences!
RAL: How many annual attendees do you draw?
MC: In the last five years, ArtWeek festivals have collectively engaged an estimated 150,000+ participants. Now that we’re going statewide, we expect seasonal engagement to continue to grow!
RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?
MC: The unique thing about ArtWeek is that it has something for everyone. With over 500 events and many free events (over 70% are FREE), ArtWeek is accessible to everyone. There are many family-friendly events, opportunities designed specifically for seniors and everything in between.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
MC: ArtWeek is a ten-day whirlwind for curious minds and creative adventurers to experience arts, culture, and creativity in fun and exciting new ways. This innovative festival embraces both the traditional and the experimental, inviting people to explore their creative sides through hundreds of hands-on, interactive, and behind-the-scenes events. The best part is that many are FREE and all are affordable. When else can you learn the art of English handbell ringing or immerse yourself in a vintage restoration trailer/tiny home boot camp where history, design, and craft collide!?! With thanks to enduring support from the Highland Street Foundation, the Boch Center is proud to be shining the spotlight on the rich diversity and vibrancy of our Creative Commonwealth through its ArtWeek program.
RAL: Take me through a day at the event. What can I expect as an attendee?
MC: On any given day you might be able to explore pop-up art installations, observe a 12-hour art-making marathon, take a history canoe tour of the Neponset River, build community through a hip-hop dance workshop, learn how virtual reality is changing the design and construction industry, take in the sounds of the Air Force Jazz Band, and so much more.
RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?
MC: This season, there will be ArtWeek events popping up in 155 neighborhoods and towns across Massachusetts, all unique with their creative flair. Travelers can tour the state for 10 days, with stops in many towns along the way, and see what the Creative Commonwealth has to offer. We’re partnering with many local Chambers of Commerce and regional tour groups that would be more than happy to help travelers get the most out of the towns they are visiting!
RAL: What does this event mean to the community?
MC: ArtWeek gives members of the community the unique opportunity to get in touch with their creative side and experience art and culture in new, unpredictable ways. Not only do ArtWeek events encourage creative exploration, but they also help participants to get out and explore their communities and the rest of the state!
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
MC: ArtWeek has been recognized as a creative “must-see and must-do” festival by Expedia, Forbes, and USA Today Travel. The Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau also features the event as one of its top ten annual special events!
For more information about ArtWeek, please visit the event website.