The Northampton Arts Council works to support and nurture the arts in the city of Northampton. The Council awards grants twice each year to artists and arts groups from both state and locally-raised funds, and seeks to improve public awareness of the arts. Its' goals include maintaining and preserving the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Northampton, programming such annual events of interest to the community as First Night Northampton and Transperformance.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Kate Bodendorf, Selected Works


Kate Bodendorf, Selected Works
January 10th – February 11th at UNITE
Opening Friday January 10th, 6-9pm
202 Main St. Northampton MA


In conjunction with Northampton’s Arts Night Out, on Friday January 10th, UNITE will host a gallery reception for local artist, Kate Bodendorf from 6-9pm.  Refreshments will be served and tunes will be played by Dj Vinyl Child and Dj Rick Jams. Kate’s work will be on display and for sale until February 11th.

Kate Bodendorf is a Western Mass based artist. She studied at Pratt Institute and has been painting for most of her life. Though formerly a figurative painter, this series of abstract work has been ongoing for several years and is mainly focused on light and color layering.

For more information, please visit unitefootwear.com.  Don’t miss this chance to experience Arts Night Out and support local artists!

YouthFilm 2014 Entries Due


The Northampton Arts Council will once again present YouthFilm, a week-long festival of film and video created by local youth and screened at the famous Academy of Music Theatre in downtown Northampton. 

The festival accepts film and video entries from throughout the region by young people from 5–18 years old.

This year YouthFilm 2014 will be presented at the Academy of Music Theatre. The participants are able to see their films on the Academy of Music’s large screen in a theater setting before each of the KidsBestFest feature films from Monday February 17th through Friday February 21st.  The YouthFilm screenings will begin at 1 PM on each of those days with the KidsBestFest feature beginning at 2 PM. 

Help us spread the word to young film and video makers, teachers who work with film and video, and organizations that can let young people know about this opportunity. 

The festival has been very successful over the last five years and is a great opportunity for aspiring young visual artists to present their work on the largest screen in the Valley. 

Entries are due in our office on Friday January 31st by 4:30 PM.

The entry form is here.

Thank you for helping us spread the word.  Please email or call with any questions. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Valley Gives


The Northampton Arts Council encourages you to participate in Valley Gives. On December 12th (12.12.13), residents of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties will join in 24 hours of special events and online campaigns to support non-profit organizations.  Valley Gives will distribute prizes to the non-profit organization that receives the most donors, and also for the group that raises the most money through this program.   

The Northampton Arts Council asks its supporters to consider making an online donation so that it can keep giving grants to artists, schools, and arts organizations.  The more of you who contribute (and the more we raise), the better our chances will be to win one of the special prizes!  

TAKE ACTION TODAY 

CLICK ON THIS LINK

TO SCHEDULE A DONATION TO THE NORTHAMPTON ARTS COUNCIL

FOR DECEMBER 12, 2013

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

First Night Northampton 2014


You're invited to attend Northampton's most beloved signature event. On Tuesday, December 31st, the Center for the Arts and PeoplesBank welcome you to a city-wide New Year's Eve party. For the 29th time, we host a 12-hour, family-friendly festival of the arts that culminates in a traditional ball-raising from the roof of the Hotel Northampton. We anticipate gathering with friends, neighbors and visitors at 22 downtown venues for an astounding array of entertainment presented by hundreds of talented performers. Our efforts are supported by generous local sponsors and dedicated volunteers. All proceeds benefit community arts.

Link to the event page
Link to iPhone app
Link to Facebook Page

Monday, December 9, 2013

Silver Chord Bowl 2014






Four Sundays in February Event #1



The Silver Chord Bowl



February 2nd  – 2 PM, John M. Greene Hall-Smith College

General Admission $12 Advance/ $15 Door

This legendary event is a tradition. People jam the 2000 seat hall.This year we will showcase some of the best collegiate groups in the country including local sensations the Smiffenpoofs from Smith College who are fresh off a visit with the President and first lady.   Other local favorites the Northamptones from Northampton High School and the Amherst College Zumbyes with their acrobatic choreography, as well as the Umass Dynamics who always bring their A game will be on hand at this great event! Joining the SCB lineup from Rochester Institute of Technology, we welcome Eight Beat Measure. Last year they placed third in the Mid Atlantic Semifinal round in the ICCA also capturing the award for best arrangement. This year they sound even stronger! UPenn Dischord brings an intense energy from Pennsylvania, Northeastern University Pitch Please has been tearing it up, and the Tufts Amalgamates are ready to unite the crowd at John M. Greene in shear harmonic bliss! Mayor David Narkewicz and Smith College President Kathleen McCartney will be on hand as emcees for this classic Northampton event.

Monday, December 2, 2013

RAW IS LEARY

December 13th – January 7th at UNITE
202 Main St Northampton MA

In conjunction with Northampton's Art's Night Out, on Friday December 13th , UNITE will host a gallery reception for local artist, Ryan Leary from 6-9 pm. Refreshments will be served, and Ryan's work will be on display and for sale until January 7th.

Graduate of Holyoke Community College and Westfield State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. His focus remained primarily in drawing and painting techniques. He believes that it was his experience with clay and pottery that had the greatest impact on his sense and understanding of form and rhythm. This is the first time that Ryan has found success with a full, concise body of work, and he is beyond excited for the chance to put it on display. Here, he will feature a series of chalk & charcoal portraiture of past and present professional wrestlers.

Ryan was initially exposed to the squared circle by his father, Paul at a very early age. While his interest waned for some years, he was back on board by the Attitude Era.  He again lost track, but for many years now, has been back on board, and finds himself at the height of his fandom. Perhaps it's the larger than life characters, or just a greater understanding and appreciation of what makes the wrestler (as well as the company he works for). Or maybe it was just the right combination of CM Punk's famous Pipe Bomb, Brandon Stroud's relentless analysis, and his best friend Winston for the motivation the attend nearly a day's worth of live events in the last year.

For more information, please visit unitefootwear.com. Don't miss the opportunity to experience Art's Night Out and support local artists!




Monday, November 25, 2013

“The Waldron Walk”: Exploring Historical Murals of Downtown Northampton


November 30th 2013, Northampton MA
4:00, Tully’s Pub, 1 Pearl Street
4:30 Joes Pizza, , 33 Market Street
5:00, Fitzwilly’s Restaurant, 23 Main Street

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Public Invited to Open House and Art Market at 33 Hawley Street


Contact Penny Burke: (413) 584-7327


Public Invited to Open House and Art Market at 33 Hawley Street

Northampton, MA—Arts Night Out and the Northampton Community Arts Trust host a festive Open House and Art Market on Friday evening, December 13, 5-8 pm at 33 Hawley Street. The market continues on Saturday, December 14, 10 am-3 pm.

The public is invited to browse and buy work displayed by 50 participating artists while viewing the building, currently in transition from fitness center to affordable creative space for the community.

All sales are cash and carry, with 10 percent of the proceeds donated to the Northampton Community Arts Trust. The informal Friday evening event features light refreshments, a wine bar, and the bluegrass sounds of Acoustic Brew.


Attachments feature work of two participating artists:

Marty Klein: All Caps

Elizabeth Stone: Amaryllis

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Arts Lottery ‘13 Grant Award Winners


Arts Lottery ‘13 Grant Award Winners

The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to announce the awarding of 20 LCC/MCC 2014 grants totaling $9,870 in support of a variety of projects. The caliber of applications this round was outstanding, and we were unable to fund many worthy projects. The Arts Council received 65 requests for almost $62,000 of funding. These grants were awarded from funds allotted by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. These grants were awarded in the following categories: Dance, Film/Video, Mixed Media, Music, Theater and Visual Art.


Une Soireé Française

Celebrating the music and cuisine of France to benefit the Northampton Community Music Center
Sunday, November 24, 2013 6:00 pm

The Hotel Northampton

36 King Street, Northampton, Massachusetts

$75 per person

Musicians
Ellen Cogen, Larry Dulong, Carol Hutter, John Mason,Monica Robelotto, Sarah Swersey, Meg Kelsey Wright

Performing works by George Bizet, Claude Debussy, Jacques Ibert,Marguerite Monnot, Erik Satie, and others!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

THE NORTHAMPTON ARTS COUNCIL HIRES NEW ARTS EVENTS PRODUCER


Mayor David Narkewicz of the City of Northampton and Brian Foote Director of the Northampton Arts Council have the pleasure of announcing that they have hired an Arts Events Producer.

Steve Sanderson, a 20 year veteran of the Valley Music and Arts scene has been a champion for local music and worked either on or behind the scenes at every venue in Northampton.  Whether he is performing with his own group or tour managing the Young At Heart Chorus Steve brings years of production and performance experience to famed events like Four Sundays in February and Transperformance.

Sanderson says, “I am looking forward to carrying on the rich legacy of Bob Cilman.”

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Jackson Street School Asian Arts Celebration


A look at Arts and Culture carried along The Silk Road

A collaboration of Art, Music & Physical Education

Wednesday November 20, 2013
                       

Monday, November 4, 2013

Wire Monkey Dance Presents...

Wire Monkey Dance will be sharing an evening of new work with an amazing performance artist fresh from Sweden at their magical theater in Holyoke.  The rustic space has not heat, so bring cozy warm clothes to watch in...

Fri-Sat Nov 8-9 at 8pm
108 Cabot Street, The Winter Palace Theater
Holyoke
reservations 413 330 1172


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Florence Night Out - A Celebration of Community Through Creativity

We hope you can join us for Florence Night Out - a celebration of art and music in our community.


Thursday September 26th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

We are celebrating the completion of our wall mural and, in our front gallery at Pivot Media, a new show featuring some of my recent work.  There will be live music by  guitarist Mark Nomad (his Delta blues sets are outrageous) at 5:00 and 6:00 and African dance by the PVPA dance team WOFA at 5:30 and 6:30.  The weather is going to be beautiful and there will be art and music happenings all over Florence.  In short, an event not to be missed.

A Celebration of Community Through Creativity
Thursday, September 26 • 5-8 pm

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Wet Paint! Silent Art Auction & Wine Tasting

WET PAINT! TO AUCTION 20 VALLEY ARTISTS’ PAINTINGS
TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTERS
IN NORTHAMPTON AND GREENFIELD

A SLIDESHOW OF THE PAINTINGS CAN BE SEEN AT: http://www.northwesterncac.org/p/wet-paint-painting.html

NORTHAMPTON, MA — On Saturday, September 21, artists set up their easels across the Valley to paint en plein air, in support of the Children’s Advocacy Center.  The original artwork, created especially for this benefit, will be auctioned off at the Wet Paint! Silent Art Auction & Wine Tasting, on Thursday, October 3 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the Hotel Northampton (36 King Street, Northampton, MA).  Tickets to the event are $90 in advance, and are available at www.NorthwesternCAC.org.  For more information, call 413-522-2946.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

THE NORTHAMPTON ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES FALL GRANTS


THE NORTHAMPTON ARTS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES FALL GRANTS

The Northampton Arts Council has set an October 15th postmark deadline for applications from organizations, schools and individuals for grants that support cultural activities in the community.

According to Council spokesperson Brian Foote, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds, including exhibits, writings, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.  The Northampton Arts Council will hold open office hours at their location at 240 Main Street, Memorial Hall Room #5 Northampton, MA 01060 on Wednesday October 2nd from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM for any potential applicants looking for advice on the application process.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Marsha Lieberman: Still Life Exhibit at PROVISIONS


Still Life Exhibit at PROVISIONS, 30 Crafts Avenue, Northampton, MA
October 6 to November 1, 2013

Artist’s Reception: Northampton Arts Night Out, Friday October 11, 5pm to 7pm.

For Information: 413.727.3497
  
The paintings on exhibit at Provisions are from two separate series­, Tangerines Moving and Mazes & Labyrinths, created over a 12 year span.
 
These are whimsical portraits of fruits and flowers surrounded by textiles arranged in waves and folds or maze-like structures. By carefully juxtaposing and superposing patterns, I aim to convey the idea that space is never truly empty, and that beneath every layer is yet another teeming with design and movement.
 
I returned to painting in 1990 after spending many years as a professional dancer.  My dance career left me with a lasting interest in pattern and spatial design.

Be Here Now: A Juried Exhibition at Hosmer Gallery

Forbes Library, 20 West Street, Northampton
October 1-30, 2013

Reception at Hosmer Gallery, Arts Night Out: Friday, October 11, 5pm to 8pm.

Event is free and open to the public.

The Northampton Arts Council presents Be Here Now, a juried exhibition of work interpreted freely by 2D, 3D, video, and performance artists.  The exhibition is of works by artists living and working in Western Massachusetts and is located at the Hosmer Gallery in Forbes Library during the month of October 2013.

Be Here Now presents a wide variety of types and styles of art from photography and paintings to cinematography and sculpture, all of which revolve around the central theme of being present. The exhibition showcases the work of 22 different local artists, selected from a group of more than 60 artists who submitted over 100 works of art for consideration.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Transperformance XXIII: Beyond Bob Wrap Up


Here are some video and photo highlights of our 23rd Transperformance at Pines Theater in Look Park

Videos:

Josh Sitron made a great highlight video of most of Transperformance:



















Eric Olsson as Bobby Darin here
Young@Heart as Bob Dylan (70's) here
Heather Maloney as Joni Mitchell here
Lord Russ & Friends as The Cure here
Vesuveo as Vanilla Ice here
King Radio as School House Rocks here
Philip Price as Robert Goulet here
Lux Deluxe as Devo here

We appreciate each and every person who puts forth their energy and effort to make this wonderful event a success.

You can find the program book for this year's Transperformance here

Here are some great shots from Jerrey Roberts of The Daily Hampshire GazetteGreg Saulmon of The Republican





A Prize Every Time!

A Prize Every Time!

September 6th - 29th

Come join us for pecuniary pleasures at our
OPENING RECEPTION
Friday the 13th of September, 5-8 PM

More Info: http://aprizeeverytime.wordpress.com/

A Prize Every Time is a collaborative project by Sally Curcio, Amy Johnquest, and Anne LaPrade Seuthe, that addresses chance, luck, wealth, well-being and our emotional relationship with money.

On the surface this exhibition suggests a carnival, and on a deeper level it addresses the anxiety that is a consequence of the state of our local, national and global economies.

In their exhibition statement the artists write: “We trust advisors to invest wisely for us in the stock market, yet we know the stock market is a gamble. Like any game, there are rules to play by - no insider trading and don’t be a Bernard Madoff. Gambling and games infiltrate our culture at many levels. Attitudes about wealth vary wildly, but are often based on how it is acquired. The stock market, until very recently, had the air of legitimacy, while the lottery is widely viewed as seedy and the earnings from it are consequently viewed through a darker lens. State lottery funds, despite their questionable origins do benefit local communities.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Transperformance Tickets Available

Transperformance XXIII -- Beyond Bob:Hamp’s Annual End of Summer Music Festival

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 • 4:00-9:30 PM 




Adults - $10 at the door; 

Seniors 65 & Over - $5; Kids 12 & Under - $3

No refunds/No exchanges

For more information on this event click HERE

[port.man.teau] Live! Release Party & Literary Reading

[port.man.teau] Live! Release Party & Literary Reading

Sunday, August 25th at 6pm

For more information visit www.CurseMag.com
E-mail inquires to cursemag@gmail.com

Sunday August 25th 6pm at the Cup & Top Cafe in Florence

Free & open to the public

port.man.teau has and always will be an independently published journal that pushes the boundaries of literature. From newer to established writers, poets and artists, port.man.teau encompasses a collection of varied styles of work.

An event  funded by the Northampton Arts Council, port.man.teau Live! will showcase writers from the Pioneer Valley as they read aloud from our newest issue, port.man.teau volume III.  This installment, also made possible by the Northampton Arts Council was assembled by hand and printed in part at Flying Object in Hadley, MA.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

auto mobile body works by Stefanie Weber and Creatures

Creatures of Habitat Physical Poetry Performance Project public performance experiment begins just after sundown on Friday Sept 6th, 2013 and strives for your participation.

auto mobile body works by Stefanie Weber and Creatures

Meeting location: Peter Pan Parking Lot in downtown Northampton, MA

Instructions:
-Arrive and gather at the meeting location at sundown.
-The experiment will last no longer than an hour.
-Be prepared to move via foot, bicycle, or car(pool)

Entrance is by donation. Pre-purchase via paypal and ticket link (for more info) http://fertileuniverse.com/map-ticket

The COH Public Performance Project occupies paved spaces with art that moves. Beginning with the series ‘auto mobile body works’ which utilizes projection and live performance in car washes, parking garages, lots and abandoned industrial spaces.

Supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council, a local arts council which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Special thanks to Dana Bixby Architecture, Mark Tomasi and Ellen Mary Hayes.

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/362492973853878/

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The Survivor Theatre Project

WHAT: 8-Week Performance Project for female-identified survivors of sexual abuse/violence.
WHEN: Sundays & Wednesdays September 15 - November 13, 6 - 7:30pm
WHERE: Florence, MA
COST: Free
CONTACT: rythea@crocker.com
WEBSITE: www.survivortheatreproject.com

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Serious Play! Theatre Ensemble: BLIND DREAMERS

 Serious Play! Theatre Ensemble previews BLIND DREAMERS at Mount Holyoke College on August 9 & 10 
What: Blind Dreamers 
When: At 8:00 pm, on Friday, August 9 & Saturday, August 10 
Where: Kendall Studio Theater at Mount Holyoke College, in the Kendall Sports & Dance Complex, Dunlap Place, South Hadley 

William Hannum: Life is Long


William Hannum:  Life is Long
August 2-17
Artist Reception:  Arts Night Out:  Friday, August 9, 5-8 pm

Monday, July 15, 2013

Jacob's Pillow presents the U.S. Debut of Israeli Contemporary Dance Company L-E-V

JACOB’S PILLOW PRESENTS THE U.S. DEBUT OF AUDACIOUSLY ORIGINAL ISRAELI CONTEMPORARY COMPANY L-E-V, JULY 24-28 

July 10, 2013—(Becket, MA) L-E-V, the contemporary dance company founded by Israel-based co-creators and artistic directors Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, will make its U.S. debut in the Ted Shawn Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival July 24-28. The company performs the U.S. premiere of HOUSE, a hypnotic evening-length work originally commissioned by the Batsheva Dance Company. With a score by the popular composer Ori Lichtik and lighting by acclaimed designer Bambi, the exquisite dancers of L-E-V, including Sharon Eyal herself, perform this compelling and mesmerizing work. 

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Northampton Summer Concert Series



While there's an amazing culture of music and art accessible every day in Northampton, there has actually been no live music that takes place outdoors during the summer.  That is until last year when The Collective Music Group and Northampton BID launched the “Northampton Summer Concert Series”. The Mission?  To showcase our fantastic local music scene while enhancing the summer environment and economy of downtown Northampton.  Free live music for all in Pulaski Park, over eight Friday evenings, beginning July 12th, 2013!!

The Dates
Fridays in July: 12th, 19th, 26th
Fridays in August: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th

The Location
Pulaski Park, downtown Northampton. The park is located right on the corner of Main and South St. If using a GPS, enter this address: 274 Main St Northampton, MA 01060. Parking is available on the street (meters free after 6pm) or in the downtown parking garage. 

Rain Location
Should it happen to rain the day of any show, we will move the concert indoors to The Parlor Room at Signature Sounds. This venue is conveniently located right across the street from Pulaski Park at 32 Masonic St. Northampton MA 01062. Same time, still free!

The Time
6pm-8pm

The Cost
Free!!

Grab your blankets, coolers, and dancing shoes, and we'll see you this summer!!

Funded in part by the Northampton Arts Council.

Perry Huntoon's "Not Quite Here"

Perry Huntoon's "Not Quite Here", funded in part by the Northampton Arts Council, is an otherwordly landscape painting transformed into a three-dimensional installation. It features mountains that span the color spectrum and cotton candy clouds cut out of wood.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Blair Smith, Selected Works

Blair Smith, Selected Works
July 12- August 6th at UNITE
Opening Friday July 12th, 6-9 pm
202 Main St. Northampton MA

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Submit Your Work Here: “Be Here Now”: A Juried Exhibition

“BE HERE NOW”: A JURIED EXHIBITION
Deadline for Submissions: August 1, 2013, 11:59 pm
Hosted by the Northampton Arts Council
“It's all real and it's all illusory: that's Awareness!” -Ram Dass 
"What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit." -John Updike

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Gina Siepel 1 x 1 Site-specific Installation

Photo by Howard Smith
Gina Siepel
1 x 1
Site-specific Installation

July 2 – July 27, 2013
Artist Reception on Arts Night Out: Friday, July 12: 5-8 pm

First Grade Class at Leeds Elementary Singing a Recycling Song

Lyrics by Lauren Lawrence-Riddle set to the tune of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite".
Sound recording was done by Dan Richardson (sound engineer for Young at Heart and member of the AstroBeast). 
Video was shot and edited by Kirby Productions. 
Project was funded by the nice web developers at Gravity Switch

Monday, July 1, 2013

ArtsEZ ‘13 Grant Award Winners

The Northampton Arts Council Announces

ArtsEZ ‘13 Grant Award Winners

The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to announce the awarding of 19 ArtsEZ 2013 grants totaling $11,783.  The quality of applications was outstanding in this round, and the Arts Council was unable to fund many worthy projects. We received 22 requests for a total of just under $21,000. These grants were awarded from funds raised by the Northampton Arts Council through such programs as Transperformance and Four Sundays in February.  Grants were awarded in the following categories: Dance, Literature, Mixed Media, Music, Schools, and Visual Art.

Transperformance XXIII: Beyond Bob


Transperformance XXIII -- Beyond Bob:Hamp’s Annual End of Summer Music Festival

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 • 4:00-9:30 PM Pines Theater, Look Park

It’s time to celebrate our community and the arts with Transperformance, featuring “Beyond Bob,” at THE end-of-summer bash!  Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Bobby Darin, and Roberta Flack will be just a few of the Bobs who will be covered by local musicians this summer in Northampton.  It was 23 years ago that the Northampton Arts Council created the first Transperformance, Woodstock: The Performance Peace.  It’s a tradition that we hope will continue for many years to come. This year will be the last year with Bob Cilman at the helm. His retirement from the Arts Council begins two weeks after the show.

Award winning singer & storyteller Davis Bates at Forbes Library


The Forbes Library presents a participatory program for families by Parents’ Choice Award winning singer & storyteller Davis Bates

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