The Hopkinton Center for the Arts is planning a new arts awareness campaign after being awarded $27,000 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism for 2022.

The Baker-Polito Administration, along with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism [MOTT], announced $4 million in awards to 80 tourism organizations, chambers of commerce, and municipalities as part of the Travel and Tourism Recovery (TTR) Grant Program.

Funds from the TTR Grant Pilot Program are dedicated to marketing projects that support the My Local MA campaign, enhance tourism recovery and have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.

The HCA will utilize the funds to market a “HeART of MetroWest” campaign that raises greater awareness of the area’s fastest-growing regional arts center. This grant also allows HCA to promote the art exhibit “Coverage” showcasing a century of Boston media’s reporting of the Boston Marathon, and Restaurant Week in Hopkinton in partnership with the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce. Through the use of WGBH radio advertising and other media, the campaign aligns with the community’s economic development and COVID recovery plans to draw more visitors to Hopkinton.

“On any given weekend at the HCA, visitors are greeted with a variety of events that occur throughout the year. One is able to view our gardens, stroll through our art gallery, see a theater production, listen to summer bands under the stars, dance on Salsa Night and take a variety of workshops,” explained HCA Executive Director Kelly Grill. “Beyond all that the HCA offers, visitors can make a day of hiking and biking in Hopkinton State Park, take a picture at the Boston Marathon start line, visit the local brewery and discover the culinary delights of several local restaurants. The support of the MOTT [Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism] grant allows us to entice people to Hopkinton — the HeART of MetroWest.”