Common Boston

Community Outreach Design, Programming, Marketing, Volunteer Management

A volunteer initiative of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), the annual Common Boston Festival connected designers and the public for more vibrant, sustainable, and equitable communities.

Over ten years, Common Boston brought over 250 events to every neighborhood in Boston, engaging thousands of citizens along the way. Programming included panel discussions, architectural tours, film screenings, art installations, workshops, receptions, competitions, and more.

Chair, 2013-2016

• Relaunched festival program, resulting in exponential growth from 350 attendees in 2015 to 11,500 attendees in 2016.

• Developed strategic partnerships with civic organizations, educational institutions, small businesses, and government.

• Lead visioning sessions, community roundtables, and volunteer meetings to develop the direction of festival programming.

• Implemented user-friendly technology such as new Squarespace website, Google Drive database, and MailChimp account to better manage data and allow for volunteer participation.

• Programmed projects such as Public Space/Public Art, a site-specific art installation in the South End, and the CB Challenge, an urban scavenger hunt focusing on the small businesses and built environment along the full length of Dorchester Avenue.