Kate Gilbert | Now + There

If you’ve ever attended a Now + There event, you will have experienced firsthand what artist and Executive Director Kate Gilbert brings to life - beautiful art, a generous sense of community, a sprinkle of humor and what I would describe as “smart goodness”. Just check out the Joy Parade if you want a better sense of what I am talking about. It is truly remarkable what Now + There has accomplished in just 5 years in way of bringing temporary, site specific public art to Boston.

When Kate and I connected via Zoom one early Friday morning, she had been up since 5:30 AM working on budget projections. Such is the life of an executive director of a small arts organization! As we discussed isolation in the time of COVID, she shared a story about one of her recent personal projects. To stay connected and engaged with her Leather District community during the pandemic, she and some neighbors initiated a community-led series of temporary murals and added beautiful stencils to the outside windows of restaurants and businesses. Local developers and businesses helped to support the project known as #oneLD.

When asked about the future of the arts in Boston post-pandemic, Kate pointed out that hearts and minds need to change for systemic change. “It comes down to housing and the economy. Artists can’t afford to live in Boston. We need policies that address these issues and help artists with studio and rehearsal space. We addressed a lot of this in our N+T Asks conversation series.” Despite the challenges, Kate remains optimistic. “Remember that the Renaissance came after the plague.”