The Arts Trust envisions a downtown Northampton with art at its center, including a diversity of spaces that can incorporate a range of artistic activities: A black box theater, exhibition galleries, music and dance performance areas, work space for artists, office space for arts administration and retail space for arts related businesses. The Arts Trust will acquire spaces, either through purchas
e or donation, and ensure that such spaces remain dedicated to creative work as well as affordable and accessible to the community into the future. Adapted from the model of land trusts, the facilities created on property acquired by the Trust will enter into long-term lease agreements with the organizations, artists and businesses that occupy and manage the property. OUR CORE BELIEFS:
• Making art – art in the broadest sense of the word – contributes significantly to the long-term vitality of a community.
• Community creates shared meaning, alleviates isolation and makes diversity apparent.
• Affordable, accessible spaces for the arts are an essential element in the fabric of vital, healthy communities.
• Everyone will benefit when we all assume responsibility for the community’s arts spaces.
