About the
Northampton Center for the Arts
Our Purpose
The Northampton Center for the Arts is a private, non-profit organization, established in 1984 as the result of a public/private partnership between the City of Northampton and the developers of the former D.A. Sullivan School complex in downtown Northampton. The Center houses an elegant, turn-of-the-century performance hall, an art gallery, a community arts classroom, an office, and modest backstage spaces with utility, dressing and technical areas.
For almost 30 years, the Center has provided an affordable and accessible venue for performances, exhibitions, arts-education programming and community events. It has been a unique and valuable resource, encouraging participation in a variety of expressive forms and producing quality events that bring people together in celebration of creative community. However, in July of 2013, the City of Northampton's non-renewable lease for the space that houses the Center for the Arts expires.
During the Center's tenure, Northampton has become a destination for arts, entertainment and retail. Downtown Northampton boasts a vibrant mix of residences, businesses, restaurants, art galleries and entertainment venues housed in buildings of historic and architectural note. This diversity makes Northampton attractive to tourists, enhances the life of its residents and contributes to its economic success. The loss of the Center for the Arts' current home presents a timely opportunity to establish a viable and sustainable multi-purpose arts center in downtown Northampton. To learn more, please read about our work with the Northampton Community Arts Trust at www.northamptonartstrust.org.
Our People
- Executive Director: Penny Burke
- Assistant to the Director: Amanda Hill
- Operations Manager: Steve Davis
Board of Directors
- Dorothy Nemetz, Chair
- Dave Boutilier, Treasurer
- Claudia Lefko, Clerk
- Madeline Weaver Blanchette
- Debin Bruce
- Nancy Goldstein
- Amanda Schreyer
The Center for the Arts has three resident performance companies: the Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra, the Lisa Leizman Dance Company and SHOW Circus Studio.
17 New South Street, Northampton MA 01060-4703
Telephone (413) 584-7327 Fax (413) 582-9014
Email: ncfa@nohoarts.org
Website: www.nohoarts.org
