Business Details
48 Years
experience
Celebrating Diversity Through Art & Performance
At the Multicultural Arts Center, we work to foster cultural and creative equity through access to the arts for both artists and audience members. At the heart of our community, the Multicultural Arts Center serves as a gathering place where social justice and creativity intersect. We aim to help artists and performers - especially those that identify as people of color - to be able to tell their stories through music, dance, poetry, theater and the visual arts. Empowering Artistic Voices We use facilitated dialogues, talkbacks, creative incubators, and networking events to create spaces that foster conversations on identity, race, and equity. The stories shared through art reflect and elevate the artists diverse lived experiences through their cultural identities as well as their genders, religions, sexualities, abilities and intersectional identities.We are an accessible facility. We work to present pieces that are accessible to a broad range of audiences through virtual and hybrid programming, language access and translation, captioning, audio descriptions, as well as representation of identities. We are proud to maintain over 50% of our performing and visual arts programming free or donation based in order to keep the arts accessible to student, low-income and culturally diverse populations.
Services
Art Exhibitions
Performance Venue
Artist Residencies
Venue Rentals
Community Programs
Theater Productions
Workshops
Gallery Tours
Cultural Events
Artist Development
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We maintain over 50% of programming free or donation-based for accessibility
- Our historic venue combines architectural beauty with modern accessibility features
- We offer sliding-scale rental rates based on organizational income
- We provide artist residencies with rehearsal space and professional development
- Our staff facilitates post-performance dialogues to deepen audience engagement
What people say
Stunning architecture
Exceptional staff support
Seamless event coordination
Historic ambiance
Commitment to diversity
Services
Art Exhibitions
Our gallery showcases contemporary works from local and regional artists, with 6-8 annual exhibitions featuring emerging talent and established creators. We prioritize works that advance racial equity and explore cultural identity through diverse media including painting, sculpture, and mixed media installations. Exhibitions include public programming to deepen audience engagement with the artwork and artists.
Performance Venue
Our historic theater accommodates 150-200 guests for performances, weddings, and corporate events. The space features ornate ceilings, marble floors, and modern technical capabilities including professional lighting and sound systems. Rental packages include access to green rooms, kitchen facilities, and courtyard space with seasonal floral displays.
Artist Residencies
Our Performing Artist in Residence program supports emerging creators with rehearsal space, stipends, and mentorship. Residents receive professional development opportunities and culminate their residency with a public showcase. The program focuses on artists whose work aligns with our mission of cultural equity and social justice storytelling.
Venue Rentals
We offer flexible rental options for theater productions, art exhibitions, and private events. Our spaces include the main theater, second-floor gallery, and courtyard with seasonal floral displays. Rental packages include technical support and access to catering services, with pricing scaled to organizational budgets.
Community Programs
We provide free and low-cost arts programming through workshops, talkbacks, and creative incubators. Our initiatives include facilitated dialogues about identity and equity, networking events for artists, and accessibility services like ASL interpretation and multilingual programming to engage diverse audiences.
People
Najee Brown
Artistic Director
Najee Brown founded Theater For the People to create safe spaces for youth and adults to explore social justice through performing arts. As a young Afro-Latino artist in Brooklyn, he witnessed theater's power to transform communities affected by violence and inequality.
Adria Katz
Managing Director
Adria Katz combines artistic expertise with nonprofit administration experience to build community through the arts. She has worked as an educator, artist, and administrator, focusing on collaborative problem-solving and creative community engagement in Boston's arts scene.
Zoe Langosy
Marketing and Communications Manager
Zoe Langosy brings two decades of experience as an illustrator and designer to her role. She earned her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and has worked with clients including MTV while maintaining a freelance design and illustration practice.
Taylor Hansen
Production Coordinator
Taylor Hansen specializes in event safety planning and production management for theater and live events. He founded TH.ESP Event Safety Planning and serves as a disaster response volunteer with the Red Cross while working with Boston-area performing arts organizations.
Francis Bordeleau
Production Associate
Francis Bordeleau is an interdisciplinary artist and lighting designer studying illustration at Lesley University. They work with Salem's Y theatre company and combine classical theater traditions with modern storytelling techniques in their artistic practice.
Questions
What accessibility features does the Multicultural Arts Center offer?
We provide elevator access, ASL interpretation, multilingual services, captioning, and sensory-friendly accommodations including a designated quiet room during performances.
Can I rent the venue for a private event?
Yes, we offer theater, gallery, and courtyard rentals for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations with flexible pricing options for different budget sizes.
How does the artist residency program work?
Our residency provides rehearsal space, professional development, and mentorship opportunities for emerging artists, culminating in a public showcase of their work.
What types of art exhibitions can I expect?
We present 6-8 annual exhibitions featuring local/regional artists exploring themes of identity, race, and cultural equity through diverse media including painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
Are there community engagement programs available?
We offer free workshops, artist talks, and facilitated dialogues that explore cultural identity and social justice issues through creative expression and discussion.
How do you support emerging artists?
We provide exhibition opportunities, performance venues, and sliding-scale rental rates while offering professional development resources and networking events for artists at all career stages.
Reviews (4)
Michael Kane
Oct 15, 2021
Report
We attended a wedding here in October 2021. A very cool building that I had not been in before. It has very ornate high ceilings in the main hall. The cocktail hour was in the little gallery just off the entrance, which was perfect. This is a very nice building and conducive to all kinds of events.
Francesca Gordini
Oct 12, 2020
Report
Gorgeous interiors. I had the pleasure of discovering this venue for a wedding reception. Beautiful spot!!!
Haris Lefteri
Sep 19, 2018
Report
Amazing place. Got to see Dark Room there and the set was unbelievable. They also had an artwork exhibit.
Shane Conrad-Davis
Jul 17, 2017
Report
Had the fortune of witnessing a lovely wedding in the courtyard of the center after which we enjoyed the ballroom and an art space of the old courthouse. It was by all means a wonderful architectural and peaceful ambiance.
