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In December, 1976, the City of Newton sold an abandoned 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.
The New Art Center in Newton (NAC) is a nonprofit community art center
which supports artistic creation and education by engaging people in
art-making activities, developing imaginative thinking in children and
adults, and heightening visual and aesthetic literacy. At the New Art
Center we nurture children's creativity; encourage emerging artists;
create teaching and performing opportunities; and engage the community
with new and important exhibitions. We have created a professional, yet
relaxed atmosphere where students and teachers, artists and audiences,
nourish each other, and relationships are easily formed and deepened.
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.
NAC educates over 1,400 students annually, and operates one of
the few mid-sized independent nonprofit exhibition spaces in New
England. In the last two years, NAC has expanded its services
to provide additional programs at the Center, in the community,
and on the world wide web. The NAC is funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The New Art Center also relies on tuition
income and the generosity of individuals to support its programs. |
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