Armory Master Plan

The City of Somerville has released the final Armory Master Plan—a roadmap for preserving 191 Highland Ave as a publicly owned, vibrant community arts center.

This webpage is for:

• Artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses interested in applying for space at the Armory.
• Somerville residents, especially those with a stake in the arts or community development.
• Current and prospective Armory tenants.
• Anyone invested in shaping the future of this cultural landmark.
  

For questions, please contact: armory@somervillema.gov

Read the Master Plan

After a multi-year public process, the Master Plan lays out how the City will:

• Prioritize space for community-centered uses.
• Ensure transparent and accountable governance.
• Safeguard access for artists and the broader public.
• Select tenants through a public RFP process.
• Achieve financial sustainability for the long term

Read the Somerville Armory Master Plan here, or click the button below.

Get Involved: Join the Armory Advisory Board

The City is forming a five-member community Advisory Board to help shape the Armory's future. This board will advise the Mayor and City Council on:

• Tenant selection
• Future investments in the building

Who should apply?

The City is seeking community members with experience in the Somerville arts community, property management, facility operations, capital budgeting and/or working in shared workspaces. The community Advisory Board will be comprised of:

• Three members of Somerville’s arts community
• Two Somerville residents (At least one individual must live in Ward 3 or 5)

What is the commitment/expectations?

• Board meets no less than quarterly
• These are volunteer positions

Applications are now open and can be submitted here, or using the button below. The deadline to apply is July 14, 2025.

Coming Soon: Armory Tenant Opportunities

Later this year, the City will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting artists, creative businesses, and cultural organizations to lease space at the Armory. Stay tuned for updates and be the first to know when applications open.

About the Armory

Built in 1903, the Armory at 191 Highland Ave has been home to everything from the National Guard to an arts performance space. In 2021, the City of Somerville acquired the building to preserve it as a public community arts center. With over 22,000 square feet of usable space—including a performance hall, café, and artist workspaces—the Armory is poised to become a cornerstone of Somerville’s cultural life.

The City will use the Master Plan as a roadmap to transition the Armory into a modern public arts center over the next few years. The City must follow state law in selecting future tenants through public request for proposal (RFP) procedures, and public relocation processes to help existing tenants in the Armory manage the property’s transition into municipal ownership.