Emerson College and Trillium Brewing Company will create a “community gathering space” on the Boston Common, which aims to promote the city’s arts culture and unite community members.
The college plans to sponsor a performance and entertainment stage while the Boston-based brewery will accompany the space with a beer garden and serve Massachusetts-produced drinks, including a wide variety of beer, seltzer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages, the college announced in a statement on Monday morning.
The City of Boston selected the college to complete a community initiative to energize the intersection of Boylston and Tremont Streets intersection nearest to Emerson’s campus, the statement said.
J.C. and Esther Tetreault opened Trillium nearly a decade ago, intending to create a modern New England farmhouse-inspired brewery, according to the company website. Since its inception, it has branched out to several locations, including its Congress Street, Fenway, Atlantic Avenue, and Canton stores.
“The College has long sought to make our campus and this corner of the Common a destination for not only students and members of our community, but also for residents and visitors to Boston,” Interim President William Gilligan said in the statement. “The importance of civic engagement is core to Emerson’s values and this new project to enliven the Boston Common aligns with the College’s community efforts.”
The new event space will platform Emerson-curated talent and programming, including on- and off-campus groups, the statement said. Music, film, comedy, and live DJ entertainment will “engage the community and provide a focal point for shared cultural experience.”
This performance center concept mimics other collegiate institutions, like Berklee College of Music, which host student and local performers at multiple venues, notably the Red Room at Cafe 939.
The partnership is expected to launch on May 1, just before the end of the spring semester.
The college hopes the space will give residents and visitors a chance to experience the arts culture within Boston, foster cultural diversity and civic pride, and promote campus talent and its community, the statement said. When live performance is not available, Emerson’s radio station WERS will utilize this space or Trillium will supplement programming with local musicians, artists, fitness classes, and literary events.
The partnership will cease to occupy the space on Nov. 1; future plans for the space have not yet been announced.
College officials could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
