Arlington Center for the Arts

CONTACT:

41 Foster Street
Arlington, MA 02474
781-648-6220
www.acarts.org

John Budzyna, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

ACA is a model of excellence for community arts centers. Founded in 1988 by local artists, it has continually expanded its circle of community participation by offering well-conceived and well–managed high-quality programs — classes, after-school programs, a music series, “Open Studios” days and festivals involving over 7,000 people of all ages. It has hosted the Underground Railway Theater (Catalogue ’98) as its resident theatre company, sponsored free “Shakespeare in the Park” productions by the Trinity Repertory Theatre, and an online literary magazine, the Mystic River Review. It has developed many diverse income streams (tuitions, rental fees, sales, dues, grants) that are achieving record-breaking growth. As for personal giving, an anonymous donor’s offer in 2004 to match annual appeal contributions over $50, inspired 76% of its donors to give at least $50. All these efforts enable ACA to limit class sizes for enhanced learning, offer artists low-cost studio and rehearsal space, and extend its community outreach while annually awarding over $3,200 in scholarships. You, too, can contribute to its success.

(2005: CULTURE: Arts: Community)