Why a Creative
Land Trust?
Creative communities across Massachusetts face urgent threats due to gentrification, inequitable access to capital, and the loss of affordable cultural space. The Creative Land Trust ensures that cultural buildings, maker spaces, and artist studios remain permanently affordable and community-serving.
The Trust secures buildings, stewards them for long-term affordability, and protects the infrastructure that artists and small creative businesses need to flourish.
Technical Assistance Program
We provide Cultural Space Readiness consulting, helping municipalities, developers, and organizations evaluate, stabilize, and preserve creative spaces. Services include:
- Community outreach
- Feasibility studies
- Needs assessments
- Operating models
- Green retrofit advisement.
Property Success Stories
Image Credit: Henry Marte
Western Avenue Studios & Lofts
Lowell, MA
One of the largest nonprofit-owned artist communities in the country spanning 240,000 sq ft and including 250 work studios, 50 live/work lofts, a thriving performance venue, gallery, and retail ecosystem. The property is 100% occupied with a waitlist.
Image Credit: Sasha Pedro
The Star Store
New Bedford, MA
125,000 sq ft historic building secured in 2025, now undergoing community-driven planning to envision its next chapter as a hub for arts, education, and cultural entrepreneurship. Capital improvements underway.
Image Credit: Creative Hub Worcester
Creative Hub Worcester
New Bedford, MA
A 33,000 sq ft former Boys & Girls Club being transformed into a center for arts education, community programming, and affordable studios. Completion expected in 2025.
Photo Credit: Henry Marte
Central Street Studios
Somerville, MA
Central Street Studios is a four-story artist workspace in Somerville with a 40-year history as a home for working artists. Originally founded in 1983, the building has long served as an affordable, community-driven makerspace.
Photo Credit: Henry Marte
Mad Oyster Studios
Somerville, MA
Mad Oyster Studios is a live/work artist space in Somerville, Massachusetts, housed in a refurbished industrial building that has supported artists for more than 25 years.
Photo Credit: Henry Marte
Midway Studios
New Bedford, MA
A 33,000 sq ft former Boys & Girls Club being transformed into a center for arts education, community programming, and affordable studios. Completion expected in 2025.
Image Credit: Henry Marte
Western Avenue Studios & Lofts
Lowell, MA
One of the largest nonprofit-owned artist communities in the country spanning 240,000 sq ft and including 250 work studios, 50 live/work lofts, a thriving performance venue, gallery, and retail ecosystem. The property is 100% occupied with a waitlist.
Image Credit: Sasha Pedro
The Star Store
New Bedford, MA
125,000 sq ft historic building secured in 2025, now undergoing community-driven planning to envision its next chapter as a hub for arts, education, and cultural entrepreneurship. Capital improvements underway.
Image Credit: Creative Hub Worcester
Creative Hub Worcester
New Bedford, MA
A 33,000 sq ft former Boys & Girls Club being transformed into a center for arts education, community programming, and affordable studios. Completion expected in 2025.
Photo Credit: Henry Marte
Central Street Studios
Somerville, MA
Central Street Studios is a four-story artist workspace in Somerville with a 40-year history as a home for working artists. Originally founded in 1983, the building has long served as an affordable, community-driven makerspace.
Photo Credit: Henry Marte
Mad Oyster Studios
Somerville, MA
Mad Oyster Studios is a live/work artist space in Somerville, Massachusetts, housed in a refurbished industrial building that has supported artists for more than 25 years.
Photo Credit: Henry Marte
Midway Studios
New Bedford, MA
A 33,000 sq ft former Boys & Girls Club being transformed into a center for arts education, community programming, and affordable studios. Completion expected in 2025.