We are a non-profit community art education space which offers everyone, at all levels of ability, exceptional opportunities to make, exhibit, view, think about and talk about art.

Two people pose in front of paintings from the REAL Friends Exhibit

Mission, Vision and Values

The New Art Center is a community art education space which offers everyone, at all levels of ability, exceptional opportunities to make, exhibit, view, think about and talk about art. Since 1977, New Art has built community by lowering barriers to participation in the arts, and integrating the experience of art into everyday life. Today, we envision the New Art Center as a highly visible, bold, anti-racist, inclusive leader in art education and community building that serves the greater Boston community with programs and opportunities both in our facility and beyond our walls. New Art believes that the practice of looking at, thinking about, and making art helps human beings solve problems, learn from their environment, build durable communities, and live meaningful lives.

Excellent Art Education

New Art offers a supportive culture that takes art and artists seriously, providing 400+ classes annually taught by faculty that includes some of the region’s most esteemed art educators. New Art offers an inclusive, multigenerational approach to art education that serves annually more than 3200 students of all ages — children, teens, and adults — from beginners to advanced artists. Scholarships and tuition subsidies are available for adults, teens and children so that everyone can participate, regardless of income level.

Art Exhibitions Showcase Local Artists

New Art’s long standing exhibition program showcases the artwork of students, faculty, and local artists. The BIPOC curatorial program highlights the artwork of local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. The New Art Corridor at 245 Walnut Street hosts these exhibitions year round and is open to visitors 24/7, with additional exhibitions featured in local businesses and satellite galleries.

New Art as a Community Resource

New Art has a robust and inclusive Community Outreach program, providing free art experiences that ensure that art is accessible to everyone. Programs include:

  • Art as therapy programs for teens, and for women survivors of domestic abuse
  • Inclusive art classes for adults with developmental delays and communication disabilities
  • Youth leadership programs that build skills, confidence and empower the next generation of artists
  • Community Cultural Days celebrate the many holidays of our diverse community through free family art activities, music and dance

Organizational Goals

The New Art Center board has created the following specific goals for the next 5 years.

  • To provide people of all educational abilities and skill levels with opportunities to engage in creative practices and learn about art.
  • To build a creative community where people in our region connect to each other in artistic creative activities and everyone feels safe, welcome and a sense of connection.
  • To prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion such that children, families, art teachers, and all community members feel included and represented in New Art Center Programming.
  • To create an environment that supports positive mental health and wellness and whenever possible, brings joy and happiness to participants.

Our History

In December, 1976, the City of Newton sold an unused 19th century church building to Newton Cultural Affairs, Inc. to develop a center for the performing and visual arts. A volunteer committee raised funds for the renovations and the Newton Arts Center began programming in 1977. The organization was incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) institution in 1983.

In 1994, the name “Newton Arts Center” was changed to the “New Art Center in Newton” to address misconceptions that the Center was for Newton residents only; that it was a city agency funded by the City of Newton. The new name reflects an expansion of the Center’s audience beyond the city limits to include people from greater Boston and New England.