Arts & Culture * Beautification * Service

The Power of Art in Newton:

Invest to Inspire

Art Inspires. That is the theme in a video made in the partnership between Newton Community Pride and Boston College's Winston Center class entitled, "Leading for Social Change." Presented here is the video the students created to amplify the importance of investing in the arts, arts organizations, local artists, and the many contributions the arts make to the vibrancy of the city of Newton. NCP thanks the BC students; Michelle Catana, Abby Goodwin, and Ryan Keithley, and congratulates them on their college graduation.

Job well done!

Thank you also to the arts leaders that participated: Gloria Gavris, Board Chair of NCP; Amelia LeClair, Director of Cappella Clausura; Melissa Bernstein, Artistic Director of Newton Theatre Company; Krysia Villon, Founding Member of Indigenous People’s Day Newton Committee; Susan Paley, VP of Community Relations, The Village Bank; Christopher Pitts, Co-Chair of Newton Cultural Council; Claudia Fiks, Director Newton Open Studios; Grey & Leslie Held, Newton Artists; and Emily O’Neil, Executive Director of New Art Center

News from our Grantees

Newton Piano Summit

Don't miss out on the first weekend of the Newton Piano Summit! Join in for an afternoon of free music from 1:00 - 3:00PM on May 6th & 7th. The talent this year is not to be missed. The Newton Piano Summit 2023 season will feature Classical, Latin, Jazz, and more. Free & open to all. More info here.

Newton Piano Summit is a spring 2023 NCP Community Micro Grant recipient.

Andromeda Belly Dance

Join your neighbors and friends in a wonderful multicultural dance showcase this weekend. Andromeda's 5th Annual Spring Hafla, is happening May 6th at 7PM at Grace Church, 76 Eldredge Street Newton. Enjoy an evening of dance and music. Open to all. Tickets are limited and seating is reserved. Get your tickets here and support local artists!

Established in 2015, Andromeda Belly Dance is a dance troupe embracing cultural dance, body positivity, and the empowerment of women and minorities in the community.

Andromeda Belly Dance is a fall 2022 NCP Community Micro Grant recipient.

Service Stars

Have you heard of Service Stars? Service Stars is an afterschool program fostering the next generation of volunteers and teaching about the importance of giving back and helping others. NCP is a proud sponsor of Service Stars programming. On Thursday, May 11 from 12:30 - 3:30PM Service Stars will visit the Waltham Fields Community Farm. What a wonderful after-school field trip opportunity. Register now for your child to visit and learn about community farming followed by pizza and bowling at Flatbreads!

Service Stars is a fall 2022 NCP Micro Grant recipient.

Friends of Kennard Park

Do you love gardening or looking to spend time outdoors? Friends of Kennard Park are planting pollinators on May 14, from 1PM - 5PM at Kennard Park in Newton Centre. Help plant in the garden, check out the native plant sale, and bring your family for children's pollinator activities! Free and open to all.

This Kennard Park event is a fall 2022 Micro Grant recipient.

Community Klezmer Concert and Dance Party

Ever wanted to dance the hora in public but didn't know how? Now's your chance! Join International Jewish Music Festival winners Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band and world-renowned dance leader Avia Moore for an evening of freylekhs, bulgars, zhoks, and more at the Hyde Highlands bandstand in Newton Highlands. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 19th, 6:00 - 7:30PM. For more information and to get your free ticket, click here.

The Community Klezmer Concert & Dance Party is a spring 2023 NCP Micro Grant recipient.

Artful Piano Project

NCP is excited that the Artful Piano Project is returning this summer! At the end of May, the pianos will be placed in public spaces around the city where they will remain until September. The Artful Piano Project though needs your help. To make this all work each piano needs a Piano Pal. The Piano Pal can be either an individual or a team of people who organize themselves to care for the piano in case of bad weather. Each piano comes with a plastic bin with bungee cords and a tarp. Piano Pals are still needed for City Hall. Learn more here. NCP proudly supports the Artful Piano Project as their 2023 "Grand Piano Sponsor" with a Community Grant.

If you and your friends or family would like to become a Piano Pal, contact Lisa Rucinski at City Hall, lrucinski@newtonma.gov

Artist: Sasha Kuznetsova

Artist: Leslie Held

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

NCP is proud to have supported this public art mural last year by local artist Harun Zankel located at 28 Austin Street titled "You Are Not Alone." For support 24/7 in Massachusetts, call the Behavioral Health Help Hotline at 833-773-2445.