Bridges in and out of Kendall are what bring our innovations to life—and Diana Navarrete-Rackauckas is one of the talented, driven members of our community leading the charge. Our KSA team caught up with her this week to learn more about how the Foundry will converge arts and technology in an accessible way for everyone.
Also in this issue: Independence Day updates from Kendall restaurants and retailers, Kendall Square Challenge winners, an exciting next step for Takeda, and reconvening transportation leaders.
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The Big Story
The Foundry is Coming: A Conversation with Diana Navarrete-Rackauckas
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Last week, we attended the ribbon cutting for Cambridge's much anticipated Foundry reopening.
The Foundry is a self-sustaining center for creativity and collaboration for the Cambridge community. At the intersection of the Kendall Square Innovation District and the East Cambridge neighborhood, the Foundry building provides space and programs for the visual and performing arts, entrepreneurship, technology, and workforce education within its historic, industrial setting.
Diana Navarrete-Rackauckas is the Executive Director at the Foundry Consortium. An educator, equity and diversity advocate, and a non-profit leader, Diana is passionate about creating accessible and engaging experiences for local audiences. Before joining the Foundry in June 2021, she worked in museums across the country.
We caught up with her to hear more about the Foundry and the impact this space will have on uniting Cambridge's creative and innovative minds.
KSA: How will the Foundry serve as a bridge between the communities in Cambridge? Specifically East Cambridge, Kendall, and the Port?
DIANA: The Foundry’s mission is to serve people first, specifically, people who have not had the opportunity to engage in arts & STEAM programs due to factors such as oppression, geographic isolation, prohibitive cost, gender exclusion, lack of cultural understanding, and more. We know that the communities mentioned are the experts on what they need, and we are relying on staff, board members, and community partners to navigate us directly to individuals in need of a space like the Foundry as well as programs serving these neighborhoods. Our goal is to use the space to bolster the work of these programs and become a collaborative center where education, creative and performing arts, youth development, and social support programs can come together and create a healthier & more resilient community engaged in creative expression.
KSA: What ways are you engaged (or hope to engage) with Kendall employers?
DIANA: We have various local programs & businesses we are currently, or hoping to, engage with to support programming in the Foundry. We are hoping to have local employers participate in our volunteer/mentorship programs. They will be able to run and support workshops in the Foundry for local residents and youth interested in learning various skills (e.g. digital arts and media; creative writing; STEAM careers; etc.) We also hope to be a connection point for local employers who are interested in hosting and participating in events that engage the residents of the community they sit in, and the potential consumers of their goods and services. We hope that Pitch Nights, job fairs, resource shares and more can happen in the space.
KSA: Can you share any details about the programs coming to the Foundry this fall?
DIANA: The support the Foundry has received has given the building an incredible capacity to host programs across different subjects, and we are so excited for the possibilities this fall. Our membership program will allow individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds to walk in and use our makerspaces for self-directed creation throughout the day with support from staff and local volunteers. We will also host various programs that offer classes anyone can sign up for in our dance studio, performance space, makerspaces, and demonstration kitchen. Our multi-purpose rooms will be reservable for local organizations to meet, tutoring programs, support groups, educational workshops, and more. Finally, our Cafe, Community Hall, outdoor Yard, and Jukebox will always be open spaces members of the public can visit, use the free wifi, grab a snack, get some work done, and hear stories of local Cambridge residents.
For more information, visit: https://www.cambridgefoundry.org/.
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Explore Kendall
July 4th in Kendall Square
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Indulge in American Comfort Foods
Andy Husband's award winning Smoke Shop BBQ is the perfect way to satisfy any Americana craving, from brisket and fried chicken to pimento mac' n' cheese.
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Get Out on the Water
Paddle Boston is still open for boat rentals between 4:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. on July 4th — perfect for watching those fireworks! Though with a sunny forecast on the horizon, any water excursion will be a treat.
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Picnic in Kendall Parks
Grab a basket, blanket, and takeout from your favorite Kendall restaurant, and head over to one of our green spaces with friends or family this weekend! Visit our full list of local parks here.
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Heard in Kendall
“With over 300 girls on our waiting list, these funds will be critical to expanding our programs to serve 500 participants in hands-on Science Clubs this fall. It’s great to have this support from corporate partners in Kendall Square for our work transforming the face of STEM.”
– Bonnie Bertolaet, executive director at Science Club for Girls, the 2022 Kendall Square Challenge nonprofit winner
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The 2nd Annual LabCentral Ignite Golden Ticket is open for applications! Thanks to the support of sponsors, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Mission BioCapital, they will award four Ignite Golden Tickets to innovative biotech companies working to solve problems for human health -- two to companies with a woman founder and two to companies with a founder of color. The deadline to apply is July 27. |
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Team BioMed Wins the Kendall Cup and Local Nonprofits Receive $60K
Last Thursday, 45 teams of 400+ Kendall professionals came together to reconnect with each other, Kendall Square, and the community to raise $60,000 for five local nonprofits.
Below were the funds raised for Kendall Square Challenge nonprofit partners:
Science Club for Girls - $21,000
MBK Cambridge - $15,000
Loop Lab - $10,000
Tutoring Plus - $7,500
Y2Y Harvard Square - $5,000
And BioMed Realty brought home the coveted Kendall Cup (along with bragging rights for the year).
The full photo library can be found here.
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Happenings
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Cold Chocolate | Lunchtime Concert Series
Tuesday, June 28, noon
Host: Canal District Kendall (Termeer Square)
ARTS + CULTURE
Lunch Break: Healing Through Writing with Amanda Shea
Tuesday, June 28, 12:15 p.m.
Host: MIT Open Space
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Volo Sports Bocce League
Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m.
Host: Canal District Kendall (Outside Glass House)
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Fit
Tuesday, June 28, 6 p.m.
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Community Open Mic Night with Amanda Shea
Wednesday, June 29, 6:30 p.m.
Host: MIT Open Space
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Movie Nights: Moana and School of Rock
Thursday, June 30, 5:30 p.m.
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
CX Fit
Saturday, July 2, 10 a.m.
Host: Cambridge Crossing
ARTS + CULTURE
Lunch Break: Paper Beading with Alex Makes Art
Tuesday, July 5, 12:15 p.m.
Host: MIT Open Space
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS
Free Yoga Class in Tech Square
Wednesday, July 6, 10 a.m.
Host: Alexandria Real Estate
ARTS + CULTURE, OUTDOORS, SCIENCE + RESEARCH
Community Night: Trivia!
Wednesday, July 6, 5 p.m.
Host: MIT Open Space
OUTDOORS, SCIENCE + RESEARCH
LEAP Lab: Float Wetlands
Wednesday, July 9, 11 a.m.
Host: MIT Open Space
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In the News
— Boston Globe
Cambridge Crossing developer seeks to swap lab in for office
- Boston Business Journal
— Boston Globe
F.D.A. May Move Toward Updating Vaccines
- New York Times
- MIT News
— Boston Globe
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Transportation solutions are ramping up!
Last week, the KSA convened its Future of Work Task Force at Klaxoon on Third Street to uncover transportation solutions for Kendall commuters. To get involved (or reengage) in our Transportation Working Group, email B. Kimmerman at b@kendallsquare.org.
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