In a still surreal turn of events, we have received a $15,000 Live Arts Boston grant from the Boston Foundation! The grant will be funding the Hassle’s Cultural Exchange Program, bringing together exceptional artists from near and far. Look out for our first funded show on 4/15—Xiu Xiu from San Jose, California with Harocaz, Sidney Gish and Funeral Advantage at the Cambridge Elks Lodge! Also, the Compass held in your hands is now being printed in part through a $3,375 grant from the Boston Cultural Council.
For some of us BRAIN Arts volunteers who have dedicated 10+ years to the cultural betterment of New England this is truly a new beginning. We organize over 150 events a year, produce and distribute a monthly cultural periodical, and provide a daily webzine for independent artists and art fans. We have reached this level of hyperactivity over many years with an entirely volunteer run staff, and we’re extremely proud of the standard we’ve set for ourselves, but those high standards take every volunteer hour we have to maintain. That is why support from groups like TBF and BCC are such a big deal – we can finally grow towards true sustainability and keep our mission going for years to come.
Sustainability for us will come in the form of a physical space in which to anchor our efforts. That’s why we are so thrilled to be able to focus on opening an all ages venue in Greater Boston in 2017! To kick off fundraising for this initiative is the 24hr Hassle Telethon on April 7th-8th. Tune in for the madness, donate if you can, and share with your friends! Our space will act as a community center for the Greater Boston area, and finally our nonprofit (and you, Compass reader) will have a place to call home.

—Saritha, Sam and Molly