DIY Lowell is embarking on a major new project: The Acre Art and History Activation project will guide a Project Team of community members from different backgrounds, ages, and perspectives to work together to tell their story through pop-up signage, art, and installations. DIY Lowell facilitators will help the team not only learn how to gather information, interview other community members, develop themes, and create and manage technical efforts such as calls for art, but also to leverage those stories to boost local businesses.
We can’t say what specific interventions we’ll create together – because it will be led by the Project Team! In the fall, we’ll recruit the team and get oriented. In the winter, we’ll release call for artists, begin writing history signs, procure materials, and get licenses and permits. The project will be ready for a ribbon-cutting celebration in summer 2026.
Call for Project Team Members
Starting in October, the DIY Lowell Executive Director will lead the Project Team through biweekly 90-minute sessions. The sessions will integrate lessons about project development with the co-creation of project materials such as budgets, call for arts, and more. In addition to the actual intervention, ideas for other types of intervention will be saved via a virtual “bulletin board.” These other types of longer-term intervention can be explored with community partners.
Call for Project Team Members – Coming Soon!
Acre Ideas
Over ten years, dozens of folks have submitted ideas for pop-up projects and events in the Acre. See the submissions here for your own inspiration.
Images of the Acre Photo Contest
As part of Acre Art and History Activation, we’re kicking off a photo contest! Submit your photos through Instagram or our form! Images will be accepted throughout the project and can include photographs, works of art, or historic images (see disclaimers below). Submit as many as you’d like, all throughout the year-long contest!
We’ll use the photos collected in a bunch of ways – social media, this website, for inspiration for the project team, even in the “ACRE” logo letters to show how the Acre is ever-changing! Each month, the team will select a winner that’s featured on social media and our newsletter, full credit given, potentially for a fun category. All the winning images will be featured at a celebratory event near the project’s completion.
Two ways to enter:
You can…
- Post the photo on Facebook or Instagram with #AcreArtAndHistory AND tag @DIYLowell so we don’t miss it.
- Submit via online form.
What happens with your photo:
We’ll use photos throughout the year in DIY Lowell’s promotions (online, in print, and at events).
Monthly winners will be highlighted online and at a celebratory Acre event!
No prizes — just the joy of sharing your work and community pride.
A few important notes:
You keep ownership of your photo, but by submitting you give us permission to use it for DIY Lowell purposes.
Make sure you have permission from anyone recognizable in your photo.
Photos should be appropriate for all ages.
This contest isn’t sponsored or run by Instagram.
Disclaimers
By submitting a photo to DIY Lowell—whether by tagging @DIYLowell on Instagram or uploading through our submission form—you agree to the following terms:
- Usage Rights
You grant DIY Lowell a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, publish, display, and distribute your submitted photo(s) in print and digital formats for promotional, marketing, educational, and other nonprofit purposes. You retain full ownership of your photo(s). - No Compensation
No payment, prizes, or other compensation will be provided for submissions or for the use of submitted photo(s). A small number of submissions may be selected and highlighted at DIY Lowell events, but this does not create any obligation or entitlement. - Consent & Responsibility
You represent and warrant that:- You are the original photographer and own all rights to the photo(s).
- You have obtained permission from any recognizable individuals in the photo(s) for DIY Lowell’s use as described above.
- The photo(s) do not infringe on the rights of any third party.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DIY Lowell from any claims arising from submitted photo(s).
- Appropriateness
DIY Lowell reserves the right to reject, remove, or not use any photo(s) deemed inappropriate, offensive, or inconsistent with its mission. - Instagram Disclaimer
This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.
Thank You
This project was made possible by the MassDevelopment Transformative Development Institute Creative Catalyst grant program. Thank you!
