Cultural District Guide; June/July 2026

Welcome to the Franklin Cultural District — Summer Edition

This summer, the Franklin Cultural District invites visitors and residents alike to experience a season of community-centered events inspired by the energy and global spirit of international soccer taking place just next door in Foxborough. As fans from around the world gather in the region, Franklin offers a welcoming place to explore, connect, and celebrate—before and after the matches.

This Summer Guide highlights Franklin-based events, performances, public art, dining, and family-friendly activities that feature playful, creative, and cultural ties to the international game. 

Located just minutes from Foxborough, the Franklin Cultural District provides a walkable, engaging destination where visitors can slow down, discover local culture, and experience Franklin’s creative spirit. We invite you to make Franklin part of your matchday journey—and to celebrate summer through art, culture, and community.

Visit the Franklin Cultural District website for more insight. This marketing document will be published in the late Spring of 2026.

Franklin Cultural District Guide, Spring/Summer Vol1
Featured Artist, Susan Sheridan

Franklin Cultural District Guide, Fall/Winter Vol2
Featured Artist, Kerry Houghton

Call for Artists & Writers 
Selected works will also be featured as part of our “Franklin Welcomes the World” campaign, welcoming international visitors during the World Cup summer.


The Franklin Cultural District’s 2026 Seasonal Guides will serve as Franklin’s leading cultural and visitor-facing marketing materials during the World Cup summer. With international visitors traveling throughout the region, these guides will help introduce Franklin as a welcoming, creative, and walkable community with a strong sense of place.

For Summer 2026, the Cultural District will be printing more copies than ever before and distributing them widely through:

  • Hotels and lodging partners

  • Restaurants, cafes, and retail businesses

  • Public spaces and community hubs

  • Regional visitor centers and partner organizations

The guides will highlight arts, culture, dining, small businesses, public spaces, and seasonal events, positioning Franklin as both a destination and a community—not just a place people pass through.

Being featured means your work will be:

  • Seen by thousands of visitors and residents

  • Part of a cohesive, professionally produced marketing effort

  • Directly supporting Franklin’s creative economy and local businesses

These guides are designed to reflect the real character of Franklin, told through the voices and visuals of the people who know it best—our artists, writers, and creatives.

Who Can Apply
This call is open to creatives with a Franklin connection, including those who:

  • Live or work in Franklin

  • Grew up here or studied here

  • Create here regularly

  • Have personal or professional ties to the community

(Examples: working locally, attending classes in Franklin, family ties, favorite local spots, etc.)
Please include a brief description of your Franklin connection in your submission.

What We’re Looking For

Visual Artists
Illustrators, painters, photographers, printmakers, digital artists, muralists, and other visual creatives

Writers
Poets, lyricists, flash fiction writers, and short-form storytellers

Submissions should reflect the essence of Franklin—its people, places, creativity, seasons, and shared spaces. Themes may include:

  • Community and connection

  • Public gathering and downtown life

  • Nature and the changing seasons

  • Small-town character and cultural expression

Selected Creatives Will Receive

  • Featured placement in the Spring/Summer 2026 printed guides

  • Artist/writer credit, including name and contact or social information

  • A short feature or artist statement (as space allows)

  • Promotion through Franklin Culture’s digital platforms

  • Featured in pop-up exhibitions related to the Cultural District/Franklin Culture

Timeline

  • Submission Deadline: March 1, 2026

  • Guide Release: May 2026

How to Submit
Email the following to Cory Shea, Director of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy, at cshea@franklinma.gov with the subject line: "FCD Creative Submission"

Please include:

  • Visual artists: 3–5 work samples (JPEG or PDF)

  • Writers: 1–2 written pieces (under 250 words each)

  • A short bio or artist statement (whichever best fits your work)

  • A brief note on your Franklin connection