All creative disciplines encouraged to apply for open spaces now through March 11, 2026

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing that the City is now accepting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from arts and creative enterprises interested in leasing space at the City-owned Armory at 191 Highland Ave.

This marks the next major step following the release of the Armory Master Plan, which outlines the community’s vision for a vibrant, public arts center for years to come.

The RFP will remain open for three months. Full details on eligibility, available spaces, lease terms, evaluation criteria, and how to submit a proposal are available on the Armory Master Plan SomerVoice page, which will serve as the primary hub for this process: voice.somervillema.gov/armory-master-plan.

To help demystify the RFP process, the SomerVoice page will include a range of user-friendly materials, including:

• Building floor plans and a selection of photos

• A walkthrough timeline outlining each step from application to selection

• An RFP checklist to help applicants prepare strong submissions

• Building rules and a sample lease to clarify expectations up front

• FAQs and channels for submitting bidder questions

To help applicants feel confident throughout the process, the City will soon offer building tours, Q&As, and workshops. Subscribe to project updates on the SomerVoice page to be the first to know when new resources are posted.

The full RFP is available on the SomerVoice page and at somervillema.gov/procurement.