Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design

What: Western Avenue Studios
Where: 122 and 160 Western Ave., Lowell
Owner: Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston
Built: 2005

Lowell’s Western Avenue Studios is one of the initial recipients of Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Common Good Awards, which recognize the inclusion of arts and culture in civic life.

Redeveloped by Karl Frey and acquired by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston in 2022, the property includes 250 artist-work studios, 50 artist live/work lofts, a gallery and 250-capacity live music hall. At least 23 MassArt alumni are tenants.

Established as part of the school’s 150th anniversary year, the awards also recognized five other recipients including rock band Wilco for the Solid Sound festival they founded in 2010 in partnership with Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams.

They Said It:

“As the nation’s only independent public college of art and design, we see ourselves as embedded in our communities, and we know that our job is to create connections that allow for arts and culture to thrive.”
— Mary Grant, president, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Editor’s note: This feature has been updated to reflect that the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston acquired Western Avenue Studios in 2022.