Hear from staff and partners about aspirations, accomplishments, and lessons learned along the way.

Filling the Well: A Podcast for Creative Changemakers

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SueEllen Kroll

Senior Program Officer, Arts & Creativity

[ARTS] Torrie Allen headshot

Torrie Allen

Guest Author · President & CEO, Arts Midwest

A new podcast series features stories from artists and leaders to harness creativity to shift power dynamics, avoid burn-out, and build authentic community.

March 03, 2022 | Category: Arts & Creativity

Fair Transit Fares for an Equitable and Climate-Friendly Future

Black woman wearing glasses, a teal headscarf, and a black top smiling and standing in front of a brick wall.

Najah Casimir

Program Officer, Mobility

As more fare-free and affordable transit initiatives are implemented across the state, voters support shifting the burden of transportation costs away from individuals to systems.

February 14, 2022 | Category: Climate

How CultureHouse is Reclaiming Main Streets to Build Resilient Communities

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Aaron Greiner

Guest Author · Executive Director, CultureHouse

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Emily Cooper

Guest Author · Community Activist, Writer, Musician, Artist

The impact of a walkable, pop-up space in one Massachusetts community.

February 08, 2022 | Category: Climate

Connecticut Voters are Ready for Bold Action on Climate and Clean Energy

[STAFF] Mariella Puerto Photo 2022

Mariella Puerto

Director of Climate

Recent poll shows widespread support for renewable energy sources and opportunities for greater education.

January 26, 2022 | Category: Climate

Boston Voters Value the Waterfront — And are Ready for the City to Help it to Change

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Jill Valdés Horwood

Director, Boston Waterfront Initiative

Responses to a recent voter poll provide a roadmap for how to maximize the benefits of the waterfront for everyone in Boston.

January 20, 2022 | Category: Boston Waterfront

Five Mobility Bright Spots to Build on in 2022

[STAFF] Lisa Jacobson Brick Photo 2022

Lisa Jacobson

Senior Program Officer, Mobility

We’ve been through a lot in the last 22 months. Are we less afraid of change?

January 12, 2022 | Category: Climate

Art Equity in Action

An interview with spoken-word artist, Jha D. Amazi about work she created with the support of a Live Arts Boston grant. Live Arts Boston is an initiative of the Boston Foundation and the Barr Foundation that supports performing artists, a majority of whom are artists of color.

January 10, 2022 | Category: Arts & Creativity

A Different Direction: Tools to Advance Equity in Transportation

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Amber Trout

Guest Author · Managing Associate, Community Science

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Heidy Persaud

Guest Author · Director of Transportation , Center for Neighborhood Technology

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Amy Minzner

Guest Author · Senior Associate , Community Science

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Bob Dean

Guest Author · Chief Executive Officer , Center for Neighborhood Technology

A new guide provides recommendations for transportation practitioners who are looking to advance equity in their work.

January 05, 2022 | Category: Climate

Barr Awards $43.2 Million in Fourth Quarter of 2021

Grants include support for artist-led, community-based projects, expanded learning networks on climate resilience and community engagement, and the launch of a national leadership development program for Black professionals.

December 28, 2021 | Category: Barr News

The Real Work Persists

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

In this year-end blog post, Jim Canales reflects on 2021 and previews Barr’s plans for the year ahead.

December 15, 2021 | Category: From the President