Exciting things are happening this fall! Read on for more
Welcome to the New Art Center’s Fall Semester of classes and events! It’s great to have you here, and I wanted to share a few of the exciting things happening at NAC this fall and beyond.
Planning for the Future
This spring we explored renovating this wonderful historic structure that has housed the New Art Center for more than 40 years. The study, underwritten with a grant from the Community Preservation Committee of the City of Newton, a gift from a generous donor and in-kind support from Elaine Construction, will be ready for review in September. We thank DBVW Architects, and Newton’s own Michael Kaufman of DHK Architects and Elaine Construction for their expertise in design, project management and cost estimation.
The study is still wrapping up, and a final decision on renovation has not been made. It is clear, whatever the outcome, that we face a major project over the next few years to ensure that we have accessible, modern, functional and sustainable spaces for our classes, exhibitions and other programs. We invite you to partner with us to create a home for the New Art Center for the next generation of kids, teens, families and seniors in and around Newton.
Additional Space for the New Art Center on Washington Street
In the fall of 2020, we will take over management of a 2,000 sq. ft. space in the new Washington Place development at the corner of Walnut and Washington Streets. Through the efforts of the City Council of Newton and Mark Development, an agreement is in place that the New Art Center will run a mixture of classes, workshops, events, and exhibitions for the public. The agreement ensures that the space will be available in perpetuity to the public, both through our programs and through our making space available (as we do already) to other community organizations, groups, and gatherings.
Changes in Programming
We made the difficult decision to suspend our Main Gallery exhibition programbeginning this fall. While we enjoyed sharing this program with you, it attracts limited financial support and requires a sustained commitment to significant, ongoing costs by the Center. After careful consideration of our need for renovation or relocation of our facility, which will require us to demonstrate financial stability and health to potential partners, it became clear that a break was necessary to allow us to build our other programs and capacity. All Main Gallery exhibitions, including the annual Creative Process exhibition, will be on hiatus for at least a year. We will continue to present Holzwasser Gallery exhibitions of student and faculty work, installed and managed by the artists themselves, as well as Newton Open Studios.
Dazzle: A Jazz Brunch to Benefit the New Art Center
We are planning a Jazz Brunch on October 21st, with art prizes provided by talented faculty, students, and exhibiting artists, as well as a wonderful spread of food and drink, plus activities for the family. Bring your friends, bring your children or grandchildren, and come celebrate the arts with us!
New Fiscal Year, A Warm Welcome to New Board Members
Our fiscal year began on July 1. This year we welcome three new members to the NAC Board of Governors. Susan Albright, 7-term Newton City Council member, has long experience in planning, and has given many years to improving schools and the building infrastructure of the City; Ty Furman, Managing Director of the Arts Initiative at Boston University, ensures the integral role of the arts in the educational experience of every BU student; and Tony Daniels, Vice President of Century Bank, with a long history of management and leadership of non-profit organizations. Tony has been elected Treasurer for NAC’s Board of Governors. Welcome Susan, Ty and Tony.
None of the changes made or those under consideration are unusual for an arts organization. Occupying the space of arts education and presentation has never been easy or lucrative. We survive by being nimble and creative, by embracing change when it is needed — and by the generosity of patrons and supporters like all of you. Thank you for being a part of this community. Your support makes our future a reality!
Dan Elias, Executive Director
