Call for Artists Franklin Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency

Call for Artists  Franklin Cultural District
 + Dean Bank Public Art Residency

The Franklin Cultural District, in partnership with Dean Bank and the Town of Franklin’s Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, is seeking artists for the inaugural Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency Program.

This residency will support the creation of an original, site-specific mural across designated exterior inlets at Dean Bank Square. One artist (or artist team) will be selected through an open call to design, install, and steward a mural that reflects Franklin’s community, creativity, and evolving cultural identity.

Apply - https://form.jotform.com/260204514157145

Call for Artists, Cultural District Guide DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2026

Franklin Welcomes the World

Call for Artists, Cultural District Guide 
DEADLINE MARCH 1, 2026

For Summer 2026, the Cultural District will be printing more copies than ever before and distributing them widely through:

• Hotels and lodging partners
• Restaurants, cafes, and retail businesses
• Public spaces and community hubs
• Regional visitor centers and partner organizations

The guides will highlight arts, culture, dining, small businesses, public spaces, and seasonal events, positioning Franklin as both a destination and a community—not just a place people pass through.

Being featured means your work will be:

• Seen by thousands of visitors and residents
• Part of a cohesive, professionally produced marketing effort
• Directly supporting Franklin’s creative economy and local businesses

These guides are designed to reflect the real character of Franklin, told through the voices and visuals of the people who know it best—our artists, writers, and creatives.

Who Can Apply

This call is open to creatives with a Franklin connection, including those who:

• Live or work in Franklin
• Grew up here or studied here
• Create here regularly
• Have personal or professional ties to the community

Timeline

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026

Guide Release: May 2026

How to Submit

Email the following to Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy, at cshea@franklinma.gov with the subject line: "FCD Creative Submission"

Please include:

• Visual artists: 3–5 work samples (JPEG or PDF)
• Writers: 1–2 written pieces (under 250 words each)
• A short bio or artist statement (whichever best fits your work)
• A brief note on your Franklin connection

Franklin Welcomes The World - June 25 & June 26

The Town of Franklin will host two days of festivities celebrating the international soccer games playing at neighboring Gillette Stadium. These events will take place on June 25 and June 26 on the Franklin Town Common and at one of our community partner locations, Haywood Manor.

The festivities will include live streamed games on a large screen; enabling viewing from the Town Common and the Haywood lawn; as well as community vendors, food trucks and live music. These free, community-centered days are designed to create a welcoming, festive atmosphere for residents and visitors while supporting downtown activity and cultural tourism.

Programming is also part of the broader ‘Franklin Welcomes the World’ marketing campaign, reinforcing Franklin’s role as a regional gathering place during a global event.

Viewing party & Community Engagement Primary Location:

Franklin Town Common & Hayward Manor

LED screen viewing area with open lawn seating at Haywood Manor; will host outdoor viewing, including a beer garden component (pending licensing and approvals).

Watch Party/Festivity Timeline: 3-9pm June 25th+26th Streamed games:

Thursday, June 25

•   4pm Ecuador v Germany
•   7pm Tunisia v Netherlands
•   10pm USA - Go watch elsewhere!   

Friday, June 26

•   3pm Norway v France
•   8pm Uruguay v Spain

Community Engagement Elements | Vendors & Community Partners

Presented on the Town Common and Haywood Manor. Note that the beer garden is at Haywood Manor only, and no alcohol is permitted on the Town Common.

• Live music performances before and/or after matches
• Community Partners/Vendors on the Town Common
• Food trucks
• Wayfinding and signage connecting the Common, downtown, and partner locations + ‘Franklin Welcomes the World’ marketing campaign

Estimated Attendance

Projected total attendance: 1,000–1,500 visitors over two days, Audience includes: Franklin residents, Regional visitors attending Gillette matches,

Families, young adults, and soccer fans.

Call for artists/muralists for the inaugural Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency Program

Call for artists/muralists for the inaugural
Cultural District + Dean Bank
Public Art Residency Program

NEW Call for Artist Opportunities, cultural weekend plans, and a call for engagement!

Franklin Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency

Click here for the application process.

The Franklin Cultural District, in partnership with Dean Bank and the Town of Franklin’s Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, is seeking artists for the inaugural Cultural District + Dean Bank Public Art Residency Program.

This residency will support the creation of an original, site-specific mural across designated exterior inlets at Dean Bank Square. One artist (or artist team) will be selected through an open call to design, install, and steward a mural that reflects Franklin’s community, creativity, and evolving cultural identity.

Program Overview

The Dean Bank Mural Residency Program is a community-centered public art initiative that blends artistic excellence with civic engagement. The selected artist will collaborate with Town staff, Dean Bank representatives, and community members throughout the design and installation process.

Murals will remain on view for approximately 3–5 years, after which new artists will be invited to contribute to the site. This rotating residency model ensures the artwork remains fresh and responsive to the community, while creating ongoing opportunities for artists to share their work in downtown Franklin. The mural will be installed on Depot Street in the three brick inlets facing the Cultural District.

Check out this week's Cultural District Eblast -> https://conta.cc/49H5pGo

Town of Franklin issues call for artists (visual and written word) to submit by March 1

Town of Franklin issues call for artists (visual and written word) to submit by March 1, 2026

Check out this week's blast where we're listing our newest, #callforArtists!

Sign up in the links in our profile, or visit the link suggested below: https://conta.cc/4bu5aja

Electric Youth, cabaret, and Benjamin Franklin's birthday celebrations on the horizon

January 3 … Electric Youth 2026 and the Boston Show Band Debut Concert, THE BLACK BOX. 7:30 pm Select link for ticketing and performance information. 15. West Central Street. 

Electric Youth, cabaret, and Benjamin Franklin's
birthday celebrations on the horizon

January 9 … Franklin Performing Arts Company presents A Starry Night: A Cabaret featuring singers from the stages of Boston, Providence, and beyond. 8:00 pm. THE BLACK BOX. Select link for ticketing and performance information. 15 West Central St. 

January 10 … Vera Meyer on the Glass Armonica - Concert. Community concert by musician Vera Meyer on the instrument invented by B. Franklin at the Franklin United Methodist Church. 1:00 pm. United Methodist Church is located at 82 West Central St. FREE. (per Franklin Historical Museum flyer)

January 10 … The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution at Franklin Public Library. As part of the town’s annual Ben Franklin Month, Harvard Professor Joyce Chaplin will be at the Franklin Public Library to discuss her new book, “The Franklin Stove: An Unintended American Revolution.” 4:00 pm Select Link for additional information. FREE. 118 Main Street.

Arts Happen Here!

A Wreath of Franklin is here today - Saturday, Dec 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM

A PDF version of the email with all the details is here for you to view or print out.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hI52-2WvxUjfe1UEW4wSkVLxipyMzQt8/view?usp=drive_link

For additional details, please visit the event page ->

https://franklinartsculture.my.canva.site/wreath25-program-site

A Wreath of Franklin is here today - Saturday, Dec 13 from 11 AM to 4 PM

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Monday, November 24, 2025 ???

Monday, November 24

What's happening in Franklin, MA ??

• No scheduled trash/recycle curbside pick up delay

6:30pm FHS Unified benefit game for KyleCares (FHS Gymnasium)

What's happening in Franklin, MA

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**  Town Meetings today   **

Cultural District Committee Meeting

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7738/CDC-Agenda_Meeting_-Nov2025docx?bidId= 

Franklin Agricultural Committee

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Agricultural-Commission-13/?#_11242025-2018 

Franklin Cultural Council

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Cultural-Council-26/?#_11242025-2022 

Library Board of Directors Regular meeting

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/Library-Board-of-Directors-20/?#_11242025-2024 

Recreation Advisory Board

Monday, November 24 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_11242025-2017 

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Art Pharmacy check in scheduled for Nov 14; Report now available

Art Pharmacy check in scheduled
for Nov 14; Report now available 

"The Art Pharmacy Quarterly Report highlights the program’s impact, artist partnerships, and community engagement, offering a snapshot of participation trends and future goals as it grows within Franklin’s creative economy."


For the full report = Art Pharmacy report ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7495/Quarterly-Report-with-our-Partners-at-Art-Pharmacy?bidId=

Register for the November 14th program -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-pharm-community-check-in-tickets-1821512365519

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DQl_pLEFRZ7/

Sign up for the weekly newsletter to see what the Town of Franklin Arts & Culture will be doing

Sign up for the weekly newsletter to see what
the Town of Franklin Arts & Culture will be doing

Via Franklin Arts & Culture

"We're getting ready for the next wave of seasonal activities! Visit our weekly newsletter to see what the Town of Franklin will be popping up next!

Don't get our weekly Eblasts yet?

Sign up in the link in our profile, every Wednesday at 7 AM."

Sign up here -> 

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/VBZUFjB

Shared from - >   https://www.instagram.com/p/DQZA0cVFQyq/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, September 19, 2025 ??

Friday, September 19

Library & Senior Center events

10:00am 2025 Arts and Culture Symposium (THE BLACK BOX) 

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

1:00pm Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:30pm Jamie Barrett (live music) (Franklin Town Common)

5:30pm Celebrate at the Children's Museum (Children’s Museum of Franklin)

6:30pm Jennifer Tefft Solo (live music) (Quarterdeck, Falmouth)

9:00pm Good Thomas (live music) (3 Restaurant)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

What's happening in Franklin, MA

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, September 18, 2025 ??v

Library & Senior Center events

Thursday, September 18

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour (Franklin Senior Center)

9:00am Fallen Hero: Levi Pieri (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

5:30pm Support Haymakers For Hope for Pediatric Cancer (La Cantina Winery)

6:00pm Arts & Culture Symposium (free ticket) (Dean College - Guidry Ctr)

7:00pm Jennifer Tefft Solo (Hillside Johnny's, Norton)

7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (virtual only meeting) 

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

9:00pm Joshua David (live music) (3 Restaurant)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->        

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** Town Meetings today   **

Town Council Office Hours

Thursday, September 18 Time: 8:30 AM

no agenda for this open discussion

Conservation Commission Meeting

Thursday, September 18 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/497?fileID=6384 

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What's happening in Franklin, MA

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Be a Vendor at A-Wreath-of-Franklin Holiday Pop-Up!

Brought to the Franklin Community by the Franklin Cultural Council, Franklin Cultural District Committee and the Department of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.

When: A-Wreath-of-Franklin, December 13, 2025!

Be a Vendor at A-Wreath-of-Franklin Holiday Pop-Up!

This holiday season, THE BLACK BOX is partnering with A-Wreath-of-Franklin volunteers and will be transformed into a festive indoor market—filled with creativity, community spirit, and cool handmade goods.

We’re now accepting vendor inquiries from local makers, artisans, and creatives!

✔️ Vendors keep 100% of their profits

✔️ A thoughtfully curated marketplace ensures a lively mix of offerings

✔️ A warm, welcoming venue in the heart of downtown Franklin

If you’re interested in joining this year’s celebration as a vendor; we’d love to hear from you—simply fill out our inquiry form ->   https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmYg-hhX8nQhbs34ykqD3vzXfGC03amynq8q5BG0NnWgYMZw/viewform

Look Who's Talking Now... at The Arts and Culture Symposium - September 19, 2025

Meet our Arts & Culture Symposium Speakers for the September 19 session.

Breakout Room Moderators 

• 
  Marcie DiChara - Chief Strategy Officer, Shopfreely.com + Social media maven for Franklin Downtown Partnership & BLACK BOX/FPAC/Intermission
• Cobi Frongillo -   Deputy Director of Renewable & Alternative Energy; Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources + Franklin Town Councilor
• Mel Hamblen -  - Holliston Economic Development Coordinator, Franklin Town Councilor 
• AJ Rebecchi -  Creative Director + Brand Builder

Plus our Keynote Speakers 

• Lindsey Jaworek - Keynote speaker! Marlboro Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) 
• Allison Yee - CEO and Founder of UpNext (Formerly Popping up Next) 

With over 100 participants registered (woo-hoo) get your Arts and Culture Symposium Creative Pass today - Register today ->    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-and-culture-symposium-tickets-1461807598879

Arts and Culture Symposium at a glance:

September 18, 2025 | 6–9 PM | Guidrey Center, Dean College

Interactive Pop-Up Art Installations + Live Performances 

September 19, 2025 | 10 AM–2 PM | THE BLACKBOX

Featuring guest speakers, Allison Yee CEO & Founder of UpNext (Formerly Popping Up Next), and Lindsey Jaworek of the Marlboro Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Sign up today before we hit capacity!  Register ->    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-and-culture-symposium-tickets-1461807598879

Notes: Both events are free. September 18 focuses on networking reception/artist performances, while September 19 features keynote speakers and additional networking opportunities. 

Please register for one or both programs. 

Once registered, our volunteers will follow up regarding any food needs.