PROFILE

The Urban Culture Institute, an award-winning initiative, works to promote excellence in the arts and culture. The Institute works with diverse communities to transform civic spaces into colorful, dynamic places. Launched in 2012 by Christina Lanzl and Dieta Sixt, our mission is to support community building through the facilitation of public art, cultural and educational initiatives, and the development of winning strategies for public places. Placemaking, public health and a commitment to fostering our urban environment and natural resources are at the core of our work. 

Our interdisciplinary practice, research and educational projects are focused on the synthesis of the built environment, diverse cultures and community building through a holistic approach. We serve our partners by conducting research, facilitating community conversations to help find solutions for complex challenges. We bring leadership and facilitation experience to the table, working with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, the public and private sector, diverse communities, design teams and creative professionals.

The high quality of our work has garnered the Urban Culture Institute such clients as: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Cities of Boston, Worcester, and Berlin, Germany, and the Boston Children’s Hospital, a Harvard University institution.

The Urban Culture Institute is offering the following services:
• Public art curation, cultural planning, civic engagement, placemaking
• Planning and implementation of both permanent and temporary public art
• Long-standing track record of storytelling, site-specific public art for trails
• Understanding of the role of cultural and natural assets in the built environment
• Development of realistic and feasible projects
• Connected with the architecture and planning community
• Commitment to teaching, learning in the community and at the academic level

​The Urban Culture Institute is DBE/WBE certified and eligible to meet women and minority business participation goals on federal and state-funded contracts issued by the State of Massachusetts.


Recent Awards