Somerville ARTFarm for Social Innovation

08/28/2026

ArtFarm Supporters: Write a Letter Before September 15th!

If you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes and submit a brief letter to the Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in support of ArtFarm. The committee is reviewing a request for $5 million to fund ArtFarm – funding that is essential to its future. The CPC deadline for public comments is September 15th.

Whether you’re an artist, performer, nature lover or all three, tell the Somerville Community Preservation Committee why ArtFarm matters! 2027 CPA awards will be announced in October.

Submit your comments to the CPC: https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/261886491370870

Find additional talking points ideas for letter writing: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eLDbW4mX_iuoif5xpfLICTGY6bTHsfUO/view

07/29/2026

McGrath Makeover and ArtFarm

This article outlines the state's plan for McGrath Highway and this end of Somerville. Together this two projects will transform the city and benefit the community.

The road to redesigning McGrath Highway in Somerville continues as MassDOT prepares to replace a major bridge on the Somerville/Cambridge city line. 

07/23/2026

Thank you to ArtFarm supporters who attended the Community Preservation Committee Meeting on July 22nd. A big shout out to Alison Maurer, City of Somerville Planner of Restoration, who provided the Committee with a clear picture of ArtFarm’s evolution and value, as well as Luisa Oliveira, Director of the City’s Public Space & Urban Forestry. Both are fervent supporters of ArtFarm, as is Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson.

With an estimated project cost of approximately $6 million dollars, the $5 million dollars requested of CPA funding is crucial for ArtFarm’s next phase of development that will guarantee that the project goes to bid in December. CPA funds will also support momentum with grant funding. All are crucial to ArtFarm’s future development.

CPA funding choices will be announced in October. That means now is the time to write a comment to the Community Preservation Committee in support of ArtFarm, whether or not you were able to attend the July 22nd meeting.

To help get you started, check out the attached PDF with suggested talking points; be sure to add your own personal context.

The link to the CPA comment form: https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/261886491370870

Leave a note below once you’ve submitted your comment and inspire others to do the same.

Keep the momentum going for ArtFarm!

Talking Points:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eLDbW4mX_iuoif5xpfLICTGY6bTHsfUO/view?usp=sharing

07/20/2026

ArtFarm needs 15 minutes of your time this Wednesday! https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2026/07/22/community-preservation-committee-meeting

07/10/2026

Calling All ArtFarm Supporters:
Mid-Summer Update and Action Needed

An upcoming virtual Community Preservation Committee Meeting on July 22nd at 6:30pm is crucial to the funding of ArtFarm.

Members of the public are welcome to weigh in by virtually attending the July 22nd meeting and by submitting letters of support digitally.

The link for submitting digital public comment is here: https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/261886491370870

The link to register for the July 22nd Zoom meeting is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-7FfxWtKTzieOdaD6mBSdQ

Do your part to make ArtFarm a reality. Attend the meeting and write a letter - even if you’ve done so in the past.

Of Note: Construction on the Poplar Street Pump Station continues; design work has been paused for a few months after reaching 90% completion. Meanwhile, ArtFarm advocate Alison Maurer and team are hard at work this summer on multiple grant applications and analyzing initial cost estimates for ArtFarm. Kudos Alison!

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Community Preservation Committee. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

04/24/2026

Somerville Residents Good news: there’s still time to complete the CPA (Community Preservation Act) Survey. https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/250496011092854

If you’ve done so, kudos! If not, it takes less than a minute. Take a moment to support crucial ArtFarm funding and ensure the project stays on target.

The survey gives you three ways to support ArtFarm:

-- Select “ArtFarm” if you participated in public engagement for its design.

-- Add “ArtFarm” to the fill in the blank question that asks: “CPA funds can be used to create, expand, improve or rehabilitate parks, open spaces and recreational amenities…”

-- Keep in mind that ArtFarm will be supported by the “Open Space and Recreation” category and the percentages you choose.

ArtFarm will be a game changer for Somerville’s quality of life and its artistic vitality. Let's make sure decision-makers know we're behind it. Thanks!

04/05/2026

Help Secure ArtFarm Funding: Fill Out the CPA Survey Now!

As many of you know, ArtFarm — the arts and green space project planned for the Poplar Street pump station site — is actively pursuing CPA (Community Preservation Act) funding. This is a real opportunity to help move the project forward, and one of the best things we can do right now is fill out the CPA survey.

It takes just a few minutes, and our voices as artists and residents in the Brickbottom district carry real weight. The more responses they see supporting ArtFarm, the stronger the case for funding. (ArtFarm is listed in the second group of questions.)

👉 https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/250496011092854

There will also be a public hearing for CPA coming up — more details to follow on that. But for now, please take a moment to fill out the survey and share this post widely!

ArtFarm has the potential to be a true civic landmark for our neighborhood and all of Somerville. Let's make sure decision-makers know we're behind it.