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Mayor and tenants work to keep 57 Central Street an affordable artist-studio building
Summary
The mayor updated the council on efforts to preserve 57 Central Street as affordable artist studio space after the owners listed the building for sale; tenants and arts organizers described cultural and community value and local officials said they are exploring funding and partnership options.
The mayor told the City Council on Tuesday that the owners of 57 Central Street, an artist-studio building across from the Somerville Museum, have listed the property for sale and are working with the city and nonprofit partners to preserve it as studio space.
"The current owner wants to see their legacy as a benefactor of the arts continue on at 57 Central," the mayor said, adding that the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston is seeking philanthropic dollars, grants and other funding to make a sale to a nonprofit buyer possible.
Several tenants from 57 Central Street addressed the council in person, thanking the city and the building owners for working on a cooperative approach. Jack Grama, who said he has a studio in the building, described affordable workspace as essential to his practice and the broader cultural ecosystem in Somerville. "Space is essential for the production of art," Grama said, adding that affordable studios allow artists to collaborate and "be generous" with resources.
Tenant Lina Varnka, a musician, told the council the building had provided rehearsal and practice space that helped her band secure a spot at a regional festival. Poet and tenant Andrea Baloo described a studio community as "a game changer" for solitary creative work.
Councilors praised the Morse family, the building—s owners, for engaging constructively in the sale process and described the potential transaction as a possible model for preserving other cultural spaces in the city. The mayor said the city may be asked to provide city funding as part of an anti‑displacement effort and invited philanthropic partners and community stakeholders to connect with the Arts and Business Council.
The council placed the mayor—s update on file for follow-up.
Why it matters: Preserving affordable artist studios is a local anti‑displacement priority tied to cultural production, neighborhood identity and the city—s broader affordability goals.
