Mayor Wu Announces Free Arts and Cultural Programming Coming to City Hall Plaza

Mayor Michelle Wu announced a diverse lineup of over 25 free cultural events at City Hall Plaza for the upcoming summer and fall seasons. Supported by the City Hall Plaza Engagement grant program, now in its third year, the initiative aims to celebrate Boston's vibrant artistic community. Programming includes a variety of events, such as an all-female hip-hop showcase, culinary heritage celebrations, and chess workshops led by local masters. The initiative has attracted interest from attendees in neighboring cities, indicating a growing regional appeal. Billy Dean Thomas, City Hall Plaza Engagement Director, noted the program's focus on supporting underfunded creatives, particularly from the LGBTQ+ community and women of color.

The selection process for programming was competitive, drawing over 115 applications from local artists and organizations. Each selected group received funding and support to ensure quality and accessibility. The initiative builds on previous success, with over 50 events and 21,000 attendees in the past two years.