What is LAB?

Live Arts Boston (LAB) is an immersive grant initiative that aims to support artists at any stage of their creative process with a balanced focus on personal and professional development with an integrated approach.

After a pause in 2023, we have relaunched the program in 2024 – newly adapted to incorporate feedback from participants to date, the impact of the pandemic on the arts community, and deepening commitments by both foundations to center racial equity in their work.

• LAB will support a diverse cohort of 30 artists and creators at different points in their careers with individual grants of $30,000 to nurture their creative practice and artistry and, for some grantees, to also present new and/or existing work.
• Rooted in core principles of artistic risk-taking, creative discomfort, and centering personal and professional development through well-being, LAB trainings and support will be organized into four different themes:
  • Personal Growth, Health and Wellness
  • Mentorship and Planned Accountability
  • The Business of Creativity (Professional Development)
  • and Creative Works and Progress (Constructive Feedback)
• Grantees commit to an 18-month grant period, that includes customized supports such as individual and group wellness coaching, business and entrepreneurship workshops, brand development seminars, and creation labs to meet the current and future needs of artists.
• Grantees will be able to expand their networks across disciplines, as well as meet industry leaders to generate opportunities for work, learning and collaboration.

In keeping with the missions of both the Barr Foundation and The Boston Foundation, we emphasize advocating for meaningful change and partnership with community leaders to address historic and systemic inequities. The pursuit of equity demands us to understand and appreciate diverse communities, and to work to allocate resources and momentum as needed to create equal opportunities for all community members.

COVID-19 made a challenging road even more so for Greater Boston artists, creators, cultural practitioners, and presenting organizations, with few able to give their creative work the time and attention it deserves, or to shake off the old trope of “starving artist.” LAB believes the work of artists and creatives is vital for thriving communities and spaces. Designed with artists at the center, Live Arts Boston is an investment in the time and space for them to ideate, learn, connect, collaborate, take risks, and create – so that they too can thrive.

If you have any questions, please contact LAB@tbf.org