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

Erin Long via Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

A Time to Embrace

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

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

The official unveiling of Boston’s newest public memorial – The Embrace – offers inspiration and hope for a New Year.

January 17, 2023 | Category: Racial Equity

Francisco Torres Shares His Perspective as a New Member of the Arts & Creativity Team

francisco torres brick 2022

Francisco Torres

Program Officer, Arts & Creativity

Francisco Torres recently joined the Barr Foundation as Arts & Creativity Program Officer. A city planner by training, Francisco describes how the arts influenced his career and work in philanthropy.

January 09, 2023 | Category: Arts & Creativity

Barr Awards $35.7 Million in Final Quarter of 2022

Grants will support a new arts and cultural center for the MetroWest region, continued research on the impacts of extreme heat in Greater Boston, and the planning and piloting of transformative learning experiences.

December 19, 2022 | Category: Barr News

Taking the Long View 

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

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Barr’s President provides an update on a new racial wealth equity initiative, as the Foundation brings 2022 grantmaking to a close.  

December 15, 2022 | Category: Barr News

In Conversation: Seattle Waterfront Director Marshall Foster

jill horwood brick

Jill Valdés Horwood

Director, Boston Waterfront Initiative

A virtual conversation about innovations and strategies driving progress along the waterfronts in Seattle and Boston.

December 01, 2022 | Category: Boston Waterfront

Jenny Curtin Named Education Program Director

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

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Jenny Curtin assumes leadership of Barr’s Education Team and strategies to advance educational equity in high schools across New England.

November 10, 2022 | Category: Barr News

Boston Public Schools Showcase Innovation Amid Ongoing Challenges

jenny curtin brick 2022

Jenny Curtin

Director of Education

Four high school options provide inspiration for what's possible.

November 07, 2022 | Category: Education

Kathryn Wright Shares Perspectives from her First Year at Barr

kathryn wright brick 2022

Kathryn Wright

Senior Program Officer, Clean Energy

Barr's senior program officer reflects on her career in clean energy and what excites her about her new role at the Foundation.

October 27, 2022 | Category: Climate

Top Five Urban Parks Ideas from the 2022 Greater and Greener Conference

jill horwood brick

Jill Valdés Horwood

Director, Boston Waterfront Initiative

Our Boston Waterfront Initiative director shares five inspiring ideas for our waterfront from a recent learning journey in Philadelphia.

October 18, 2022 | Category: Boston Waterfront

Five Community-Driven Actions for Change in Arts and Culture Organizations

Cultural researcher Matthew Jenetopulos recaps a series of convenings across Massachusetts focused on turning research into action.

October 13, 2022 | Category: Arts & Creativity