In the heart of the historic Concord Center Cultural District, The Umbrella Arts Center at 40 Stow Street is a multidisciplinary, non-profit contemporary arts organization committed to nurturing and encouraging the arts. A cultural leader in MetroWest Boston, it provides broad and diverse access to a wide range of performing arts, visual arts, and arts education programs. Through these offerings, The Umbrella promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange.
Inside the stately 1929 former Emerson School building—completely renovated in 2019—The Umbrella features the Allie Kussin Gallery and The Wedge Gallery, and three floors of bright, airy studios for more than 50 artists working in every medium. The Umbrella Visual Arts program presents year-round, free gallery exhibitions, artist talks, artist residencies, public art installations, and annual Open Studios and Winter Markets that welcome many thousands of visitors each year.
© Pierre Chiha PortraitsThe Umbrella is also home to the critically acclaimed, professional Umbrella Stage Company, working out of a beautifully designed Performing Arts facility opened in September 2019. One of the most exciting additions to the region’s performing arts landscape in the last decade, this facility houses two venues, the 350-seat main stage Theater 144 and a 100-seat, flexible Black Box space. With state-of-the-art technology and acoustics, support spaces, and comfortable furnishings, the theaters have housed not only the Stage Company’s “bold, daring and innovative” brand of theater productions, but also a variety of film screenings; lectures; and pop, Broadway, and orchestral music concerts. In addition, The Umbrella is a popular rental venue for events ranging from the international Thoreau Society to a boutique guitar showcase to galas and more.
© Stewart IkedaThe Umbrella’s robust Arts Education program is known throughout the region for providing high-quality instruction in multiple disciplines for creative learners of every skill level and stage of life, from toddlers to advanced independent artists. Classes and youth camps are held in three general purpose classrooms, a dance studio, a woodworking shop, fabrication and photographic facilities, and an expansive Ceramics Studio, all newly constructed in 2019. All-levels special workshops by internationally recognized artists and free family creative drop-in programs make arts experiences accessible to a wide swath of the region’s creative community.
© Pierre Chiha PortraitsWith its convenient location, free parking, beautiful visual arts galleries and three stories lined with art, and reasonable ticket prices, The Umbrella has gone from Metrowest’s “best kept secret” to a popular arts destination with a reputation for a superior audience experience. It is a must for anyone exploring Concord’s cultural richness. Visit TheUmbrellaArts.org
This article made possible with the support of The Umbrella Arts Center