Northampton Arts Council

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.

    Tuesday, November 28, 2023

    Emerging Filmmakers of Western Mass: Screening of six short films at the Academy of Music



    WHAT: Emerging Filmmakers of Western Mass: Screening of six short films at the Academy of Music
    WHEN: December 22nd, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Academy of Music in Northampton.

    Northampton, MA - A free, family-friendly screening of six short films created by local filmmakers is being held on December 22nd, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., at the Academy of Music in Northampton. The event, “Emerging Filmmakers of Western Mass”, will showcase two narrative and four documentary films which include themes such as strengthening community and confronting change.

    “Emerging Filmmakers of Western Mass” is organized by Lucas Fappiano and Colin Hodgson, both born and raised in Northampton. The pair recently completed their latest short film, Small Lives, which is a character study of Jim Mias, a well-known local community leader. Instead of a small private screening, Lucas and Colin collaborated with other local filmmakers to curate an evening of screenings — open to the public and free of charge. The key theme of Small Lives is the power and resilience of community. It is the hope of the filmmakers that the “Emerging Filmmakers” event brings residents together for a night of local pride in support of the Pioneer Valley’s vibrant arts community.

    The screening is curated by Hodgson and Fappiano’s Blue Heron Productions, a production company with a focus on personalized documentaries, and is sponsored by Elder Care Access and Full Circle Bike Shop. Concessions will be available for purchase. Guests are asked to consider making a donation at the door, with all proceeds going to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. 

    The Power of Truths: Cinematic Chronicles of Racism and Resistance



    WHAT: The Power of Truths: Cinematic Chronicles of Racism and Resistance
    WHEN: December 5, 2023 from 5:30-7:00 PM
    WHERE: Carroll Room, Smith College Campus Center, 100 Elm St, Northampton, MA 01063

    Self-Evident Education presents: “The Power of Truths: Cinematic Chronicles of Racism and Resistance,” a free film screening and discussion, Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Carroll Room, Smith College Campus Center.

    The evening will feature the screening of two short documentary films: If You Cross This Boundary, We All Die, about Ellen and William Craft's journey of self-emancipation from Georgia to Boston and beyond; and A Mother's Bond, the story of Catherine Linda, an enslaved woman who was brought by her enslavers to Northampton in 1845, where she learned she could obtain her freedom in Massachusetts. Both films were produced by Self-Evident Education.

    Following the films a panel will feature Ilyon Woo, author of Master, Slave, Husband, Wife (about Ellen and William Craft) and Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, Associate Professor of History at Smith College and author of Colored Travelers: Mobility and the Fight for Citizenship before the Civil War. Ousmane Power-Green, Director of Africana Studies at Clark University and author of The Confessions of Matthew Strong, will facilitate the discussion and audience Q & A. Books by all three authors will be available for sale at the event.

    Based in Florence, Self-Evident Education uses multimedia storytelling to engage school and community groups in critical conversations about the histories and legacies of race and racism in the United States. Self-Evident's powerful films caught the eye of the education team at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Self-Evident is currently working to produce two films and accompanying curriculum for the museum's North Star: A Digital Journey of African American History platform.

    The December 5 program is sponsored by Self-Evident Education, in partnership with Forbes Library, Smith College History Department, Historic Northampton, Mass Humanities, Northampton Arts Council, Paradise Copies, the Beveridge Family Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Community Foundation of Western Mass.

    All are welcome! So please join us on Tuesday evening, December 5, 5:30-7:00 PM, in the Carroll Room of the Smith College Campus Center. To receive background resource materials and email updates, pre-register with Forbes Library at: https://forbeslibrary.libcal.com/event/11493601


    Monday, November 20, 2023

    Downtown Northampton Market Walk on December 9th: Visit 4 Local Craft Fairs

     



    WHAT: Market Walk
    WHERE: Various Locations - Downtown Northampton, MA  
    WHEN: Saturday December 9th 10am-5pm

    Western Mass Makers Market 
    Northampton Center for the Arts
    33 Hawley St Northampton, MA. 
    10am-4pm

    Queer Makers Market
    The Majestic Saloon
    24 Main St Northampton, MA.
    12pm-5pm

    Lowbrow Craft Fair 
    First Churches 129 Main St Northampton, MA.
    11am-5pm

    Curated Craft
    The Dirty Truth 29 Main St Northampton, MA.
    10am-4pm







    Wednesday, November 15, 2023

    FIRST NIGHT NORTHAMPTON 2024




    Happy New Year! 

    You're invited to attend Northampton's most beloved signature event. 

    On Sunday, December 31st, the Northampton Arts Council and Greenfield Savings Bank welcome you to the 39th edition of our city-wide New Year's Eve party. 


    Since 1985, First Night Northampton has filled Paradise City with a 12-hour, family-friendly festival of the arts, culminating in a traditional ball-raising from the roof of the Hotel Northampton. Gather with friends, neighbors, and visitors at 20 terrific downtown venues for an astounding array of entertainment presented by hundreds of talented performers. 

    For more information: https://www.firstnightnorthampton.org/

    Silver Chord Bowl 40th Anniversary




    Silver Chord Bowl 40th Anniversary



    In its 40th year, the Silver Chord Bowl is the oldest and most respected collegiate a cappella showcase in the region, hosted in John M. Greene Hall on the Smith College campus. This year’s event will begin with a performance by Northampton High School’s very own Northamptones, followed by six groups from colleges and universities around the Northeast. This year, we will see groups from colleges and Universities TBD. Steve Sanderson of the Northampton Arts Council will host the Silver Chord Bowl with Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton and the Mayor of Northampton, Gina-Louise Sciarra.

    When?
    Sunday, February 11 – 2:00 PM Showtime, Doors Open at 1:30 PM

    Where?
    John M. Greene Hall located on the Smith College campus, 60 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01060

    How Much?
    In Advance: 
    Price Premium Assigned Seating All Ages - $35
    General Assigned Seating All Ages - $15 (Available online);

    Day of at Door Price:
    Premium Assigned Seating All Ages - $40
    General Assigned Seating All Ages - $20

    Advance Ticket Outlet:
    Online Only - https://www.freshtix.com/events/silver-chord-bowl

    Rouge Readings presents: Marisa Crawford, in conversation with Britt Billmeyer-Finn and Zoe Tuck

     



    WHAT: Rouge Readings presents: Marisa Crawford, in conversation with Britt Billmeyer-Finn and Zoe Tuck.
    WHEN: Saturday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. / doors at 6:00 p.m.
    WHERE: 90 King Street, Northampton, MA.  

    Join us as we celebrate the release of Marisa Crawford's Diary: a book that "push[es] the limits of what it means to write a poem."

    Marisa is joined in readings and conversation by local poets Zoe Tuck and Britt Billmeyer-Finn.

    This event is free and open to the public. Suggested donations of $5 will go toward the Rouge Reading Series.


    Tuesday, October 31, 2023

    Junkyard Shakespeare presents As You Like It




    WHAT: Junkyard Shakespeare presents As You Like It
    WHERE: Northampton, MA
    WHEN: November 13-18th

    www.hilarygdennis.com/junkyard-shakespeares-as-you-like-it

    Tickets on sale here.

    The link can be found via the QR code on the poster.

    AS YOU LIKE IT
    BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
    ADAPTED BY BACKROOM SHAKESPEARE PROJECT
    NOVEMBER 13-18, 2023
    The Dingle
    Northampton, MA 01060

    FEATURING:
    Felix Beauchamp - ORLANDO
    Mary Potts Dennis - JAQUES/CORIN
    Hilary Dennis - ROSALIND
    Jelena Djukic - DUKE FREDERICK/OLIVER/AMIENS
    Chris Hahn - ADAM/TOUCHSTONE/PHEBE
    Jane MacLaughlin - SILVIUS/CHARLES
    Emma Elle Paterson - CELIA
    Justin Viz - LE BEAU/DUKE SENIOR/AUDREY
    Sarah Corbyn Woolf - Mental Health Coordinator
    Costanza Bugiani - Design

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