New Bedford Creative, 1213 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA (2026)

06/10/2026

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is hiring!

The Fishing Heritage Center (FHC) is a small museum telling a big story in historic downtown New Bedford. The Center preserves and presents the powerful history of the city's commercial fishing industry through exhibits, archives, and a robust lineup of public programs.

The Center is currently seeking a part-time Donor Relations Specialist to support its fundraising efforts and manage its donor database. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, friendly, and enjoys working with people from all walks of life.

Compensation: $20–$24/hour (commensurate with experience).

Qualifications:
At least 3 years of relevant experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize.

Required experience with nonprofit CRMs and Microsoft Office Suite. (Familiarity with WordPress, Eventbrite, QuickBooks Online, PastPerfect, or Square is a plus).

Familiarity with New Bedford and the commercial fishing industry is a strong asset.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references directly to:
Laura Orleans, Executive Director
[email protected]

See the full job description by visiting https://fishingheritagecenter.org/get-involved/employment/.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please share this post or tag anyone who would be a perfect fit for the museum team!

Photo by Maggie Howland for Explore New Bedford

06/10/2026

The Ave is spilling out onto the sidewalk! Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, because the historic commercial corridor in New Bedford's North End is transforming into a massive open-air marketplace!

The Love The Ave Partnership is hosting its highly anticipated Sidewalk Sale, perfectly timed to coincide with the vibrant Day of Portugal festivities right nearby at Madeira Field. Expect a full day of shopping, culture, and unmatched community energy.

🚗 Parking Made Easy
In addition to street parking, you can take advantage of three city-owned lots:

Acushnet Avenue & Coggeshall Street
Behind Cotali Mar Restaurant (off Sawyer Street)
Across from the historic St. Anthony of Padua Church

Head over to lovetheave.com to see the full merchant lineup, check out specific deals, and plan your route!

See you out on the street!

06/05/2026

The 2026 Artist in Residence program at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park is under way and this year's first artist, Zara Shahi, artist was just interviewed by Gilda Geist on All Things Considered - Local NPR for the Cape, Coast & Islands.

You can learn about how Zara approaches their work, their signature style, their current residency and how you can join them to learn how to weave in a hands-on workshop, by listening to the full interview here: https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2026-06-02/new-bedford-artist-in-residence-leads-community-weaving-project

Interested in joining the next workshop? Zara will be having their next hands-on weaving workshop during June AHA! Night's Pride Celebration. Free to the public, open to all skill levels and ages, and materials will be provided for you.

📍 Where: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William St., NBMA 02740
🕰️ When: Thursday, June 11, 5:00 - 7:00 PM

We hope to see you there.

06/05/2026

Next Friday, June 12th, the Zeiterion will be buzzing with MASSCreative third annual Creative Sector Summit!

This year, we are diving deep into "Art, Culture and Creativity as Civic Infrastructure." It’s a full day dedicated to exchanging ideas, teaching one another, building vital professional skills, and growing the political power of the creative sector.

Can't make it to downtown New Bedford in person? MASSCreative has you covered! Take advantage of the brand-new virtual ticket option to stream three incredible hybrid sessions straight to your workspace.

Tickets are available online until Thursday, June 11 at 5pm and can be purchased day of at the Zeiterion box office.

Head over to zeiterion.org/events/creative-sector-summit right now to explore the full schedule.

Photography by Steph Craig Studios.

06/04/2026

Episode 19 of New Bedford Creative is live and we are highlighting two 2026 New Bedford Creative Grant recipients!!!

We are proud to collaborate with New Bedford Cable Network to bring you conversations with Sketchie Go Ichie artists Roger Andrews and Ashlianna Felix as well as with Executive Director of Your Theatre Inc. Tener Wade.

In this episode they each discuss their history, current practice, future endeavors and what programming they will provide the community for 2026.

Whether your interersted in joining them or learning how they got here, be sure to check out Episode 19 by visiting the City of New Bedford's YouTube page, which can be found by clicking the following link: https://youtu.be/Y5a3k_7lRgA?si=ovSHGWO-U9heLs3K

We hope you enjoy and continue to keep New Bedford creative!!!

06/04/2026

2026 New Bedford Creative Grant Recipient Highlight: Tahais Martins and Yoga Es Vida Collective.

We are very proud to announce that this first time New Bedford Creative grant recipients will be having their opening event for the 2026 season.

oin Yoga Es Vida Collective for Yoga in the Park, free outdoor yoga classes created to support wellness, community, and connection.

Absolutely free to the public and open to all yoga lovers of all experience levels. Yoga Es Vida instructors will offer a variety of yoga styles, providing opportunities to explore movement, relaxation, mindfulness, and self-care in a beautiful outdoor setting.

06/01/2026

Ready to shape the future of a beloved New Bedford institution?

The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum is seeking passionate leaders to join its Board of Trustees.

The RJD is committed to equity and inclusion at all levels of its leadership. The Museum is actively seeking Board members who will reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the residents of New Bedford and surrounding towns, bringing diverse perspectives to decision-making, strategic planning, and key discussions.

They are eager to hear from individuals supportive of the RJD’s mission and interested in serving. Candidates with expertise in financial management or human resources are highly encouraged to apply to complement the team’s skill set.

Trustees serve a minimum of three years (up to nine), and the deadline to express interest is June 5, 2026. Interested individuals can learn more and apply today at rjdmuseum.org/volunteer/.

Photo provided by The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum

05/29/2026

We are incredibly proud to announce the three visionary artists selected for the 2026 Artist-in-Residence program at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park: Zara Shahi, Dilge Dilsiz, and Tom Hubbard!

Brought to life through a powerhouse partnership between New Bedford Creative, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park , and the CVPA UMass Dartmouth, this program brings world-class contemporary art directly into our community. Over the course of the year, these creators will dive into our city's rich maritime heritage to build interactive public works and connect directly with residents and visitors.

Meet the 2026 Residency Lineup:

Spring (May – June): Zara Shahi
An interdisciplinary textile artist and MFA candidate at UMass Dartmouth, Zara is creating a large-scale weaving installation inspired by New Bedford’s industrial textile heritage and the motion of the sea. Her handwoven structures invite the community to explore our evolving cultural identity.

Summer (July – September): Dilge Dilsiz
An Assistant Professor of Communication Design at Miami University in Ohio, Dilge is a mixed-media artist focusing on the layered stories of New Bedford’s port and its diasporic communities. She will treat our working waterfront as a living archive, using visual storytelling to reflect on history, labor, and migration.

Fall (October – December): Tom Hubbard
An interdisciplinary artist known for transforming industrial objects, Tom will research the intricate visual language of historic scrimshaw to create a new body of ceramic works. His project will explore the historic links between the whaling industry and the transatlantic Triangle Trade.

🌟Zara Shahi’s First Workshop is TOMORROW! 🌟

To kick off the spring season, Zara Shahi is hosting her very first public workshop tomorrow! Don't miss this unique opportunity to meet Zara, learn about her creative process, and engage firsthand with the textile art that is connecting New Bedford's history with our present day.

🗓️ When: Saturday, May 30th from 11 AM - 1 PM
📍 Where: New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

05/29/2026

A major piece of New Bedford’s powerful legacy has just been honored. Thanks to a collaborative effort between the New Bedford Historical Society , New Bedford Creative, and Moby Dick Brewing Co., a new commemorative plaque has been installed at Moby Dick Brewing Company.

This plaque marks the historic ground of the 1838 stagecoach stop where Frederick Douglass and his wife Anna Murray first stepped foot in New Bedford.

New Bedford was a destination on the Underground Railroad. Escaping enslavement by stowing away on coastal trading vessels, freedom seekers would travel the old stagecoach route straight into our city. By the 1840s, New Bedford was home to hundreds of self-emancipated people who stood as a powerful symbol of liberty where no fugitive was ever returned to slavery.

For 30 years, the New Bedford Historical Society has worked tirelessly to bring these stories to life through landmarks, public art, educational programs, the preservation of the Nathan and Polly Johnson House, and creation of Abolition Row Park.

This new plaque ensures that as we live, work, and enjoy our downtown today, we never forget the spirit and courage that defines these grounds. Be sure to stop by Moby Dick Brewing Co. to stand in the place where history happened.

Learn more about our city's incredible legacy at nbhistoricalsociety.org

Design by mediumstudio
Installation by Graphic Innovations

05/27/2026

The unofficial kickoff to summer is here, and we’ve got your ultimate July plans locked in.

We are incredibly excited to spotlight 2026 grant recipient New Bedford Festival Theatre as they mark their highly anticipated return of summer musicals to the Zeiterion Theatre stage with Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville!

This will be a full-blown tropical block party right in downtown New Bedford and NBFT is pulling out all the stops to bring those island vibes to Purchase Street:

There will be pre-show steel drumming by local favorites El Caribe who will be playing live tropical tunes outside the theatre before all eight performances.

Come and meet Mickey the Parrot, a beautiful Blue & Gold Macaw who works official Jimmy Buffett events up and down the East Coast, live in The Z lobby for photos before the Friday 7/17 and Thursday 7/23 shows!

8 SHOWS ONLY (July 17 – July 26):

Evening Shows (7:00 PM): Fri 7/17, Sat 7/18, Thu 7/23, Fri 7/24, Sat 7/25

Matinees (2:00 PM): Sun 7/19, Sat 7/25, Sun 7/26

Grab your Hawaiian shirts, blame it on the margaritas, and let's welcome incredible live theatre back to The Z this summer!

Don't let this paradise pass you by. Visit zeiterion.org/events/nbft-margaritaville to grab your tickets before they sell out!

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