Dear Somerville Community,

As the new Executive Director at the Somerville Museum, I would like to introduce myself and share what drew me to this incredible cultural institution nestled in a residential neighborhood on the corner of Central Street and Westwood Road right in the heart of Somerville.

The Somerville Museum’s mission is to be a “mirror” to one of the most unique, innovative, creative and diverse communities in the country with a rich history that deepens our understanding of who we are, where we came from and what we want our future to look like.  Having facilitated and curated public art and as a former academic with a focus on cultural memory, I believe strongly in the significance of the arts to create space for shared understanding, transcend differences, and bring people together with a common purpose. 

Walking into the Somerville Museum evokes a sense of sanctuary and contemplation with its two stories of beautiful arched windows where the light bathes the main gallery space. The gallery’s distinctive features include a Charles Bulfinch staircase, George Loring doors and Federal Revivalist architectural molding. Against this backdrop steeped in history, our regionally recognized and award-winning exhibitions like “Sanctuary City,” “BLUE,” “Museo Immigrante” and “Above and Beyond” feature the art, creativity, history, and spirit of Somerville past and present, transforming the space in ways that ignite the imagination, and activate an ongoing dialogue with history and place.

For the coming year the Somerville Museum, along with a select group of institutions from across the State, received grant funding from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to produce programming related to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. With this grant we are supported in using this occasion to explore not only the Revolution, but themes of revolution, freedom, independence, as well as untold stories and the “firsts” that distinguish Somerville’s legacies.

Beyond the museum, our historically themed community events and stimulating Tavern Talks at Aeronaut Brewery have been going strong while our beautiful museum has been closed to the public for restorations and renovations supported by funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and Community Preservation Act.  Improvements you can look forward to include the addition of an elevator making our museum fully accessible to people with mobility challenges, and the installation of an HVAC system that will allow for temperature control throughout the building, keeping our collections safe and enabling us to remain open all year around!

We are nearing the end of our renovations and cannot wait to welcome you back to the Museum with a new exhibition on “The Art of the Festival” in Nepal and commissioned murals by the well-known Somerville Nepali artist, Imagine.  As you enter the museum at the ADA or main entrances, you will be greeted by Imagine’s’ vibrant colors and sweeping Sanskrit that translates into English as “Welcome to All!” 

We want to engage with you!  We welcome your input through our community survey, your companionship on our member trip to Cuba this February, your applications to our Community Curator program, your involvement as a volunteer or Advisory Council Member and your support as a member or donor.   Please take a moment to explore our website at www.somervillemuseum.org, get in touch with us at info@somervillemuseum.org, or stop in and see us when we reopen on January 16!

I look forward to getting to know each other.

Stephanie Marlin-Curiel
Executive Director