Brookline Arts Center

Agency and Mission: Brookline Arts Center (or BAC) is a community-based organization dedicated to teaching and to stimulating individual creative expression in the visual arts through participation in classes, programs and workshops led by practicing artists. BAC's programs in art education are complemented by exhibitions and special events, such as art talks and author readings.

Description:
The Center serves people of all ages, backgrounds and ability levels and is devoted to the arts, artists and community. It provides a unique opportunity for all to enjoy and actively pursue hands-on involvement with the visual arts, including those who may have lacked access because of their social or economic circumstances through its ARTreach initiative. BAC is a friendly and casual meeting place, where people can develop their own creativity and share ideas. We offer programs for both children and adults, allowing people of different ages and backgrounds to find creative activities that bring them together as friends and as a community. Volunteer support is a crucial element of a community organization like the Brookline Arts Center. BAC is in need of volunteer classroom and arts administrative assistants year-round. Or, perhaps, you may want to get involved with one of our exhibitions, cultural events, publicity development, or fund-raising activities, such as the December Crafts Showcase or our Spring event. Volunteers are more than welcome, they are a vital part of keeping the arts center lively. Volunteers who are interested in learning about the world of contemporary art galleries, or about creative education, will be integrated into a variety of activities that will increase your own skills, and your circle of friends active in the cultural life of Boston and the Metro West Area.

History:
The Brookline Arts Center began in 1964 in the basement of a private home as a parent cooperative arts program for 15 young children, with one artist-teacher and assistants. BAC now registers over 1,600 students annually, including toddlers, children, teens, adults and seniors. The Center offers art education in 2-D and 3-D media (350 courses and workshops a year), including drawing, painting, watercolor and printmaking; ceramics; jewelry/metalsmithing and fibers. On-going ARTreach programs include several on-site classes for children, teens and senior residents of Brookline Housing Authority. For 28 years the Crafts Showcase, a national and regional juried exhibition and sale of fine crafts, has offered crafts artists income and exposure during the holiday season. Faculty, student, community exhibitions and public art projects at BAC and in collaboration with other organizations have been a regular component of the Center's programs since its early days. Recent exhibitions have been organized at Perrin Gallery of Brookline, Signature Gallery, the Mall at Chestnut Hill, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and in BAC's historic building. In 1981, a major building renovation was accomplished by means of a building campaign that included funding from a Massachusetts Historic Commission Federal Preservation Grant. The results made it possible for the Center to better serve our growing student body, with renovated and expanded studio space and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Handicapped parking is available.

Contact people:

Susan Navarre, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Jonelle Prill-Tate, Associate Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 617-738-8760

Address:

86 Monmouth Street Brookline, MA 02446 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.brooklineartscenter.com

Directions:

Housed in the picturesque 19th century former firestation at 86 Monmouth Street, Brookline Arts Center is located one block from the intersection of Beacon Street and Park Drive; Monmouth Street runs parallel to Beacon Street. En route to Kenmore Square,. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: St. Mary's (C train Green Line),   Walk distance (in minutes): 20 seconds   Nearest Bus Stop: Fenway T-stop on Park Drive, 4 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com

Last updated on November 3, 2009