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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 21, 2021 Page 7 Malden Center for Arts & Culture’s Steering Committee announced M ayor Gary Christenson proudly announced the formation of the Malden Center for Arts & Culture Steering Committee. At his 2021 State of the City address in February, he announced the City of Malden’s intent to acquire the old Malden District Courthouse, which is located at 89 Summer St., and convert it into the Malden Center for Arts & Culture. The City is currently working with the Malden Legislative Delegation to file legislation designating the courthouse as surplus property and directing its transfer from the Commonwealth to the City. This critical component of the local creative economy comes after years of advocacy from Malden’s arts community around the need for additional performance, studio and rehearsal space in Malden. The city has always been home to a vast diversity of visual and performing artists, makers, designers, creators and passionate arts supporters and patrons. Recent years have seen building momentum in the arts and culture sector in Malden, from the temporary pop-up gallery at 480 Main St. that evolved into today’s Gallery@57, to the successful ARTLine project and dozens of cultural events and musical performances sponsored by Malden Creates and the Malden Cultural Council. Establishing a central hub where many forms of creativity can flourish, inspire and educate the next generation will solidify Malden as an arts-friendly city and put it on the map as a place where working artists can make a living while sharing their craft with the community. “We are thrilled at the possibility of bringing an Arts & Culture Center to Malden,” said Christenson. “It has the potential to be an anchor institution for the City providing a much-needed home for theatre production, performances, exhibitions, and workspaces. I am excited to announce the formation of a Steering Committee to help us engage with the community to create a shared project vision, and to develop an operational plan to ensure the center is sustainable and accessible to all.” While the ownership transfer is finalized, the City will begin developing a Concept Plan for the space. The Concept Plan will determine the uses and users of the building, develop an architectural design for renovations, build a sustainable operational model and identify funding sources for construction and operations. This planning process will be directed by the new Malden Center for Arts & Culture Steering Committee. Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan and Malden Redevelopment Authority Senior Planner Evan Spetrini will serve as Co-Chairs of the committee and will be joined by a diverse coalition of arts and cultural leaders, reflective of the various artistic disciplines and cultural backgrounds that make up the Malden community. These leaders were chosen for their deep knowledge of cultural spaces, practices, and their dedication to the Malden arts community: • Terlonzo Amos, Director of Operations, Urban Media Arts (UMA) • Naomi Brave, President, Malden Arts, Inc. • Jenelle DeVits, Board of Directors Member, UMA • Yinh Kiefer, Wellness Professional, Host of “Ten With Yinh” podcast • Bob Logan, Director and Music Producer, SUM Studios • Yu Sin Mok, Board of Directors Member, Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition • Erga Pierette, Co-Chair, Malden Cultural Council • Elizabeth Ramirez, Theater Director, Production Stage Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant and Actors’ Equity Association Leader • Dawn Simmons, Co-Founder and Co-Producing Artistic Director, The Front Porch Arts Collective; Executive Director of StageSource The Steering Committee will set the vision and values of the project, provide guidance on outreach efforts, direct fundraising activities and communicate routinely with project consultants. The City is currently seeking grant funding to assist in the development of the Concept Plan, including an extensive and equitable community engagement process. “Malden is blessed with such rich diversity in our City and creative sector, and that is why we are committing to an inclusive and representative public engagement process as we develop a vision for the future of the Malden Courthouse,” said Linehan. “We believe that the project will better serve the needs PROTECT your PET! RABIES CLINIC The City of Malden and Malden Police Dept. are pleased to announce the return of the Annual Rabies Clinic On SATURDAY, JUNE 12th from 10 a.m.-12 noon @ the Malden Central Fire Station, 1 Sprague St., Malden, MA 02148 *The cost is Only $10.00 per shot *ALL DOGS MUST BE LEASHED *ALL CATS MUST BE IN CARRIER *PLEASE COMPLY with all SOCIAL DISTANCING REGULATIONS This Clinic is organized by the City of Malden and the Malden Police Department. For further information contact Malden Police Animal Control at 781-397-7171 x1302 Malden Police Department 800 Eastern Ave. Malden, MA 02148 Please protect your Pet by getting them Vaccinated! This Rabies Clinics is open to All Malden residents AND Non-Residents are welcome to bring their pets, also of our artists and creative workers if we listen to their input from the start, and ground the project’s development in the community’s hopes and desires. This project has the potential to position our local economy for strength and resilience as we emerge from the pandemic, and to make our entire City more welcoming and vibrant.” Youth representative needed To finalize membership, the Mayor’s Office is seeking applications for a youth representative on the Steering Committee. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to espetrini@maldenredevelopment.com by May 31. The Steering Committee will begin meeting in June and community engagement will begin this summer. The goal is to complete the Concept Plan by the first quarter of 2022. CLARK | FROM PAGE 5 need to learn about and appreciate each other's history, narratives, and struggles and come together united to find solutions and real actions to uplift and celebrate our rich identities, intersectionalities, and collective whole as a nation. Hate has got to stop!” Specifically, the bill would: • Designate an officer or employee of the Justice Department to facilitate expedited review of COVID-19 hate crimes reported to federal, state, and/ or local law enforcement; • Issue guidance for state and local law enforcement agencies to: • establish online reporting of hate crimes or incidents, and to have online reporting available in multiple languages; • expand culturally competent and linguistically appropriate public education campaigns, and collection of data and public reporting of hate crimes; and • Issue guidance describing best practices to mitigate racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID–19 pandemic, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the COVID–19 Health Equity Task Force and community-based organizations. Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net

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