ABOUT ZONE 3
Zone 3 is a Harvard-sparked initiative to further activate and energize Western Ave with creative programs, events, retail experiments, and public art.
Since 2015, the Zone 3 initiative has transformed a cluster of formerly under-utilized spaces along Western Ave in Allston into a vibrant hub of creativity and active space for community engagement. These efforts continue through a range of on-going programs, events, retail pop-ups, and impactful public art installations.
Over the past five years Zone 3 has worked with dozens of creative entrepreneurs and community partners, along with hundreds of local artists and creative professionals that have helped to enliven the Western Ave corridor.
While the primary hub of Zone 3 activity is the cluster of buildings at 267 Western Ave, Zone 3 has also initiated programs and art installations throughout the neighborhood. Just down the road, an empty retail space at 182 Western Ave hosts rotating restaurant pop-ups with local business owners. The art installation “WE ALL” brought new light to The Grove in Barry’s Corner. Murals have come to life throughout other parts of the neighborhood as well, through our Walls on Western program and other unique public art installations.
Zone 3 is committed to creating a space where people of all genders, races, and identities feel welcome, included, and safe. We continue to explore new programs, partners, and canvasses throughout the Western Ave corridor, all as part Harvard’s effort to connect the creativity and energy of the Allston-Brighton neighborhood to its ongoing cultural and academic work at the Ed Portal, on Harvard’s campus, and in the community.
CREATING A SPACE FOR ALL
Zone 3 is committed to creating and maintaining a space of inclusion for all people regardless of background. Connectedness and collaboration are two of our main values in our community engagement work. We believe that we are able to grow together when we foster a diverse environment that welcomes artists, entrepreneurs, and community members of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, identities, life experiences, and self-expressions.
Zone 3 is also home to the PRX Podcast Garage and Aeronaut Allston:
In August 2016, Zone 3 collaborated with leading digital media organization PRX to open the PRX Podcast Garage.
The Podcast Garage is a groundbreaking podcast recording studio and space for audio storytelling classes, workshops, and events that is open to the public. When it launched, the Podcast Garage was the first of it’s kind anywhere; today PRX is opening Podcast Garages in other cities and the idea is being emulated elsewhere.
Also kicking off in the summer of 2016 was the Aeronaut Allston beer garden series, hosted by Aeronaut Brewing Co. Zone 3 and Aeronaut aimed to create a welcoming community gathering place in Allston for neighbors and visitors alike. As the first pop-up beer garden in all of Boston, Aeronaut Allston quickly became a popular destination on summer evenings to enjoy cold beer, bites from local food trucks, and to listen to great live local music. Since its launch, Aeronaut Allston has showcased over 850 musicians on its stage.
