Cambridge Arts And Local Recording Artists Receive $250K Grant To Establish Neighborhood Recording Studio

Cambridge Arts and a team of local recording artists and producers have received a quarter-million-dollar grant from ArtPlace America to establish The Loop Lab, a new sound-production studio and podcast station in Cambridge’s Port neighborhood (previously known as Area Four). The project aims to increase career opportunities for people there and strengthen the community. Loop Lab founders—Chris Hope, Moise Michel, and Tyrie Daniel—all have ties to The Port, two having grown up there. 

The funding from the New York-based collaboration of 16 foundations, eight federal agencies and six financial institutions is one of just 23 National Creative Placemaking Fund grants they’re awarding out of 987 applicants from all across the United States this year. The grant will help launch a creative safe-space where young adults ages 18 to 25, at no charge, can share stories, music and news from their community.

The Loop Lab plans to lease space, build out a studio, and launch in spring 2018. Organizers aim to recruit people from the Port for their first year-long program. They plan for it to offer six months of training in music production and sound engineering followed by a six-month internship at working recording studios or radio stations. In addition to teaching studio skills, the program will offer training in writing resumes and cover letters, scheduling, mediation, financial literacy, etiquette, conflict resolution, and first aid.

The Loop Lab aims to become self-sustaining through studio rentals, recording services, and offering courses to the wider public in music production and podcasting.

Additional partners in the project are Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) and the City of Cambridge’s Office Of Workforce Development.

Reporters, if you’d like to learn more details, Cambridge Arts would be happy to connect you with our staff and the audio artists involved in developing the project. Photos are also available.