Haverhill’s Cogswell ArtSpace Nears Matching Grant Goal, Seeks Donations

Pentucket Bank CEO Jonathan H. Dowst addresses the Haverhill City Council in 2021. (WHAV News file photograph.)

Cogswell ArtSpace was just a few thousand dollars shy of meeting a matching grant challenge last week when it outlined its plan to city councilors to replace the roof of the former Haverhill school.

Councilors received an update on a $50,000 matching grant for Creative Haverhill by Pentucket Bank. As reported previously on WHAV, the grant will be used toward converting the George F. Cogswell School, 351 S. Main St., into a venue and workspace for various artistic endeavors. City Councilor Timothy J. Jordan introduced Pentucket Bank President Jonathan H. Dowst who talked about the challenge.

“A healthy community needs the arts. We made a $50,000 pledge and we want to give all $50,000. We have, what, 11 days left in that pledge and the Cogswell Space is getting close to being ready to go,” he said at the time.

Erin Padilla, director of Creative Haverhill, said the nonprofit raised $43,350 in matching funds with $6,650 to go. She explained the money from this grant, along with a donation of just over $125,000 recently made by the city of Haverhill, will be used to replace the roof of the 130-year-old building.

Moved by the spirit of the evening, Jordan also announced City Council members will make a personal contribution of another $1,000 toward the renovations.

Donations received by Saturday, Dec. 18, will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. Online donations may be made here.

Comments are closed.