The Arlington Center for the Arts (ACA) is a cornerstone for the creative community in Arlington and beyond. Established in 1988, ACA is dedicated to fostering the arts in the local community by providing opportunities for artists, performers, and students to learn, create, and share their work with others.
Recently the ACA hosted a new event: Spotlight ACA! This fundraising event was designed to give their guests and community members an interactive experience and a little taste of all their signature programs, with live music, hands-on activities, delicious food and drinks, and irresistible items to take home.
Every fall, ACA also presents Arlington Open Studios, which is an event showcasing over 60 local artists displaying and selling their work. This signature Arlington event celebrates artists of all media and invites the public to engage with and support this community of talented individuals. This year’s event will be in-person with a range of virtual resources available to visitors. All application info and links will be available on June 1, 2023.
ACA also presents an ongoing schedule of compelling community exhibits and high-quality, curated shows that draw on a wide community of artists from Arlington and beyond. The Shaira Ali Gallery also serves as a rental space for performances, meetings, and parties for members of the Arlington community. They regularly present several opportunities for off-site exhibitions in the community including at WorkBar and Arlington Friends of the Drama.
Coming to a porch near you in June: Arlington’s free, festive, one-day-only music extravaganza is back…and bigger & better than ever!! Porchfest is a grassroots music festival where bands play on front porches across town and people walk, bike or drive around to enjoy tons of free outdoor music, performances, and visual arts exhibits. Visit the Arlington Porchfest website for more information.
Along with their community events like the Spring Gala, Arlington Porchfest, and Arlington Open Studios, the ACA provides year-round education programs for children, teens, and adults in a variety of media, such as painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and fiber arts, among others. These classes are taught by experienced artists and educators who provide personalized instruction to students of all ages and skill levels.
Their creative opportunities for beginners and professionals alike help students develop skills, discover passions, and build community through the arts. During February, April and Summer vacation, the ACA offers full day camps for kindergarteners through teens. Vacation Arts Programs are fun, dynamic mixes of art, music, and drama and offer CIT and Counselor programs. The ACA also provides private studios and co-working spaces for artists to create and engage with a community of vibrant and diverse makers.
Arlington Center for the Arts is a vibrant hub of artistic activity in the greater Boston area, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for artists and art enthusiasts alike.To learn more about ACA, you can visit their website at www.acarts.org. You can also become a member, or make a contribution to support their ongoing work.
