Art in Lowell: Brick by Brick

Idea:

The city (or local businesses) offer bricks around Lowell to be painted by locally hired artists or community members.

Benefit:

Tourist attraction, jobs for local artists, beautiful and small art installations, connection and sense of ownership in the city.

Location:

Citywide, Don't Know, Downtown / JAM.

Seating Area Near Cafes with Park Map

Idea:

The public areas in Lowell for sitting are far away from restaurants and cafes and often don’t have tables that promote eating outdoors. A DIY Lowell team could create a defined seating area in a safe location with benches and chairs for people to sit at that is near a cluster of businesses. In addition [Read more…]

Benefit:

Tourists came in asking us if we knew of a spot and none of us could think of one. This could support tourism in the city, as well as provide a place to seek some comfort or quiet while admiring the city.

Location:

Don't Know.

Art Vending Machine

Idea:

Local artists can sell works through vending machines.

Benefit:

It supports the work of local artists, while also keeping people safe in the pandemic.

Location:

Don't Know.

Trash Pickup and Recycling

Idea:

Partner with Lowell Litter Krewe, Canalwater Cleaners, or other cleanup groups to establish a new regular cleanup at a specific location, perhaps Western Canal in the Acre. Do projects that help to clean the Earth. Signs are added to the location to discourage littering at that location. At the end of the season, put up [Read more…]

Benefit:

It would help to keep Lowell clean and support the environment globally.

Location:

Citywide.

Butterfly Garden

Idea:

Find a dedicated space with many flowers and plants that support and encourage butterflies or work to enhance a space with these types of plants — release butterflies at an event to help support the population of local species of butterfly.

Benefit:

More butterflies to look at while adding more plants to the urban environment

Location:

Don't Know.

Community Garden Awareness

Idea:

Work with Mill City Grows or another organization to help promote community gardens and locate spaces for potential future gardens, possibly community food gardens near housing units. Maybe add signs or other literature to areas about the possibility of joining a community garden.

Benefit:

Help those who are struggling to be able to have access to healthy foods.

Location:

Citywide.

More Positive Programs for Kids

Idea:

A DIY Lowell team could create an event or event series that will give kids more positive things to do or learn. Perhaps it could be a youth-centered skill share type of event. Projects and activities that are focused on self-esteem, leadership, and positive qualities to develop more skills for youth to lead.

Benefit:

Stronger and more independent children who feel empowered to speak up.

Location:

Citywide.

Charity Events

Idea:

More neighborhood block party style events, like National Night Out, except with the intent of raising money to donate to charity.

Benefit:

More money for charity so more people can get help.

Location:

Citywide.

Recreational Sports League

Idea:

A one-day community sport tournament or clinic. Potentially, a series of games leading up to the tournament. Organize more sports activities for youth.

Benefit:

This could lead to perhaps new small-scale sport leagues. Organizing ourselves could reduce the cost, because it’s often really hard for parents to pay for sports leagues.

Location:

Citywide.

Fundraising Event to Help the Homeless

Idea:

Organize fundraising events to help homeless people in the city. This could be neighborhood block party style events, like National Night Out, except with the intent of raising money to donate to charity.

Benefit:

It would help the homeless to have a better quality of life and feel more like a part of the community.

Location:

Citywide.