Fenway Alliance

CONTACT:

337A Huntington Avenue/Avenue of the Arts
Boston, MA 02115
617-437-7544
www.fenwayculture.org

Kelly Brilliant, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

The Fenway district of Boston, along Huntington Avenue, happens to contain an extraordinary cluster of cultural and academic institutions — some world-class, including the BSO, the MFA, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the New England Conservatory of Music and Jordan Hall, the new Mary Baker Eddy Library, the Huntington Theatre Company, and others. The neighborhood, however, was — with exceptions — relatively run-down. In 1977 these separate institutions decided to explore their common interests and mutual-reinforcing possibilities, by establishing The Fenway Alliance (Cat ’02). Their strategy is to use shared programming, strategic packaging of the district, and advocacy — in partnership with government — to transform the Fenway into a cultural destination that would turn the local economy around and open these great cultural resources to underserved neighbors. In 1998 Mayor Menino endorsed the strategy, proclaiming Huntington Avenue “The Avenue of the Arts,” this area “The Fenway Cultural District,” and committing $400,000 to civic improvements. Every year on Columbus Day TFA institutions sponsor “Opening Our Doors,” offering free activities and events. Recently, TFA commissioned a public art project to celebrate the district with well-designed permanent markers. The winning project is beautiful LED-lit moving display screens mounted on light-posts. Now we need some civic-minded individual donors to help turn on those lights.

(2004: CULTURE: Education: Informal: General)