Cory Munro Shea

The Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy in Franklin is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable cultural ecosystem that enriches the quality of life for all residents while driving economic growth. Through strategic planning, accessible programming, and a commitment to community engagement, we create opportunities for creativity to flourish and for connections to deepen.

We champion public art, inclusive spaces like the revitalized Sculpture Park, and innovative digital initiatives to amplify cultural experiences and broaden our reach. By cultivating a robust network of volunteers, local businesses, artists, and residents, we empower the community to actively shape Franklin’s cultural landscape.

Our comprehensive resources and transparent infrastructure support event coordination, program development, and ongoing cultural activity, making Franklin a destination for creativity, collaboration, and economic vitality. Together, we build a stronger community where arts and culture thrive at the heart of everyday life.

Visit the Franklin Culture website for further details on events, artist opportunities and learning more about our creative community.

Developing Community Initiatives - Art Pharmacy

The Town of Franklin is proud to be the first municipality in the United States to implement Arts Prescriptions, an innovative initiative designed to support community well-being and combat the ongoing impacts of the opioid crisis. 

Through the use of opioid settlement funds, Franklin is integrating creative experiences—such as music, dance, visual arts, and theater—into substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery efforts. 

This pioneering program demonstrates the town’s commitment to fostering resilience and healing through the transformative power of the arts. Read on to learn more about how Franklin is leading the way in this groundbreaking approach to recovery.

“In Franklin, the timing of incorporating Arts Prescriptions is especially crucial as we continue to navigate the challenges of the opioid crisis that has profoundly impacted our community,” said Cory Shea, Franklin’s Director of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.

The impact of the opioid crisis cannot be overstated. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people around the globe have died from opioid overdoses. In the United States, between June 2021 and March 2024 more than 100,000 people died from opioid related overdoses and some reports indicate that Massachusetts experienced deaths at more than twice the national average.

People continue to die despite increasing investments in substance abuse treatment and recovery. Since August 2023 the death rate has been declining but the need for continued investment in recovery and rehabilitation persists.”

Read more of the program through the Massachusetts Cultural Council Blog here.

Developing Public Art Opportunities for Artists
Creating public art opportunities in the Town of Franklin is a dynamic investment in community identity, cultural vitality, and local economic growth. By supporting initiatives such as the Artsy Box Project, Fairy Trails and Franklin Tales, the Micro Gallery RFP, and The Art of Play: Franklin's Cornhole Project, the Town of Franklin affirms its commitment to making art accessible in everyday spaces—sparking civic pride, storytelling, and connection.

These projects are not only creatively enriching but also economically impactful. According to Americans for the Arts, the nonprofit arts and culture sector generates $151.7 billion in economic activity annually in the United States—supporting 4.6 million jobs and generating $29.1 billion in government revenue. When artists are given stipends and public commissions, like those funded through the Massachusetts Cultural Council and legislative earmarks championed by Senator Rebecca Rausch, it ensures that creativity is not only celebrated but also compensated, contributing directly to artists' livelihoods.

Public art helps animate downtown spaces, attract visitors, and increase foot traffic to local businesses, enhancing the vibrancy of the local economy. Franklin’s investment in the arts fosters a cultural ecosystem that supports creative entrepreneurs, small businesses, and tourism. In doing so, it cultivates a more inclusive, welcoming, and economically resilient community—where the arts are both a source of inspiration and a driver of sustainable growth.

Visual Artist Opportunities

Written Word Opportunities