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Arts & Culture Department
The Arts and Culture Department works to fund, promote and present high-quality, community-based arts programming for the benefit of artists, residents and visitors to the City of Northampton. The department works with the arts council to perform tasks assigned to local cultural councils under MGL c. 10, § 58, or successor statutes. The department coordinates the Paradise City Cultural District under MGL c. 10 § 58A. The department serves as the city’s liaison to local, regional, and statewide arts and culture organizations. The department provides administrative, clerical and technical support to the 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.
Paradise City Cultural District Map
ABOUT PARADISE CITY CULTURAL DISTRICT
The Paradise City Cultural District is home to a community of unique cultural institutions that attract established national and international artists and support emerging local artists. The Paradise City Cultural District spans an architecturally impressive, walkable, and bikeable area encompassing approximately 14 square blocks in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Since 2014, the Northampton Arts Council has fostered the Paradise City Cultural District. This city-appointed council works to support and nurture the arts in Northampton.
For more information visit the Paradise District Website
Pulaski Park Gathering Requirements
- To find out more please click on this link.
PUBLIC ART
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON ARTS ORDINANCE - 285-9
Excerpt here: "Anything within a sidewalk, street, or on a public building, excepting property under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, that is considered public art by the Arts Council and is reasonably expected to last longer than 90 days, shall not be installed without a permit from the Arts Council. Public art may include, but is not limited to: murals, sculptures, and art installations."
If you or your organization are interested in creating public art or have questions surrounding your project please contact us by email or (413) 587-1269.
The procedure for determining whether your project should be issued a permit from the Arts Council would start by adding your project inquiry to the agenda of the Arts Council's next board meeting. Board meetings occur every second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted. The Arts Council will then vote on whether your project would fall under the umbrella of Public Art. If you project does fall under Public Art, a permitting procedure would commence with the director of the Arts Council.
Street Musician's Permit for Northampton: For permission to perform in downtown Northampton, please download the Street Musician Permit Application and bring it to the Department of Public Works to get it signed. Then take the signed permit to the Police Department to obtain another signature.
Street Performer's Permit for Northampton: For permission to perform in downtown Northampton, please download the Street Performance Permit Application and bring it to the Department of Public Works to get it signed. Then take the signed permit to the Police Department to obtain another signature.
MCC/LCC Fall Grant Program
The Local Cultural Council (LCC) Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and sciences annually.
The program promotes the availability of rich cultural experiences for every Massachusetts citizen.
Administered by 2,400 municipally appointed volunteers, the LCC network consists of 329 councils serving all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns. Each year, local councils award more than $2 million in grants to more than 5,000 cultural programs statewide. These include school field trips, after-school programs, concerts, festivals, lectures, theater, dance, music, and film. LCC projects take place in schools, community centers, libraries, elder care facilities, town halls, parks, and wherever communities come together.
More information can be found: https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/northampton/
Current Northampton Arts Council Members
Danielle Amodeo (she/hers, Chair)
Jesse Hassinger (he/him/they/them, Clerk)
Dana Osterling
Thulani Davis
Mi Belitsky
Garrett Williams
Pete Olsen
Anna VA Polesny
Eamonn Edge
Jo Ella Tarbutton-Springfield
Kaye Carroll
Alyona Skripka
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2023 Arts Council Meetings:
Council meetings usually occur in the City Hall Hearing Room at 210 Main Street from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Please contact bfoote@northamptonma.gov for the up-to-date schedule and details. Currently, the meetings take place on Zoom.
If you want to join the Northampton Arts Council, please complete an application online.
Agendas and minutes can be found here: https://northamptonma.gov/1504/Arts-Council
Videos of our most recent meetings are found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEes5dK7zAeOYQ25--ulr1Ap6UKP8X1X0