1989 Northampton Cultural PlanTHE Northampton
Cultural Plan
Letter from
the Chairman
The Northampton Cultural Plan represents a collective
effort by artists, business people, municipal officials, and
concerned citizens to protect the cultural future of this city.
As chairman of the Steering Committee charged with
guiding this planning process, I began this effort well
aware of Northampton's reputation as a center of cultural
and artistic activities. The past year of meetings, discus-
sions, analysis, and public advocacy have demonstrated
broad public support to preserve these resources.
The cultural community has played an important, but
neglected role in the economic revitalization of Northamp-
ton and has helped create a lively and stimulating place
to live and work. The arts have directly helped many busi-
nesses to prosper and have provided patronage for res-
taurants, book stores, galleries, crafts shops, arts sup-
plies stores, and specialty retail stores that comprise our
downtown. Northampton has been able to attract an edu-
cated work force in part because of the cultural commu-
nity. Now this valuable asset is threatened and at risk
due to escalating real estate prices and the scarcity of
rehearsal, performance, and studio space. If artists can-
not afford to live in this community or perform or exhibit
their work here, we will all lose something of value.
This plan is not a luxury or a set of empty recommen-
dations to be consigned to reference shelves. It proposes
concrete actions which must be taken to assure contin-
ued cultural diversity and vibrancy. Many recommenda-
tions require no funds, but rather organizational steps and
modest encouragement. In particular, the report suggests
municipal actions to foster and coordinate cultural activi-
ties. A small amount of municipal funds is requested, but
far more important is the inclusion and recognition of the
cultural community in municipal affairs.
As the actions of the Steering Committee conclude,
the report urges that the Northampton Arts Council - with
increased resources and a broader and larger member-
ship - take on many of the tasks of public advocacy for
the arts in Northampton. We hope that interested indi-
viduals of all ages, interests, and backgrounds will vol-
unteer to serve on the Arts Council.
This report could not have been produced without the
extraordinary voluntary efforts of the steering committee,
the task forces, the staff assistance of the Northampton
Center for the Arts and the Arts Extension Service of the
University of Massachusetts, and the support of Mayor
David B. Musante, Jr. The city cultural and business com-
munities must continue their joint support for this effort.
Bart /. Gordon
Chairman
Steering Committee
Northampton Cultural Plan
The childrens' drawings found
throughout this report illustrate the
image of Northampton as a community
animated by its cultural resources.
This vision was commonly held by all
participants in the cultural planning
process.
Published in January, 1989. This publication was
produced through the contributed efforts of:
Cleare Communications .............. graphic design
Plymouth Paper Company ......................... paper
Guild Art Center ............. .....................photostats
Gazette Printing Company, Inc .............. printing
Cover photography by Shelley Rotener.
i
David B. Musante, Jr.
Mayor
CITY OF NORTHAMPTON
MASSACHUSETTS
CITY HALL
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
5666850
Without a doubt, arts and culture contribute enormously to the economic
fiber and lively spirit of Northampton.
Imagine how the quality of life would be decreased, were there no Pioneer
Valley Ballet, no First Night, no Young at Heart Chorus, no art galleries or
museums, nor crafts shops in Northampton. And these are only a few of the rich
cultural resources which we enjoy in this area!
Arts and culture lend color, hope and excitement to Northampton. By
choosing to strengthen them, we, as a city, foster our economic strength, and
nourish our imaginations.
Many thanks to the plethora of volunteers who worked long hours to see the
Northampton Culturan Plan become a reality.
Table of Contents
The Vision ...............
Introduction ............
The Plan ..................
Participants .............
Acknowledgements
............page 3
............ page 4
.................page 5
...............page 13
page 17
This document is an abridged version of the
Northampton Cultural Plan. Copies of the com-
plete plan which includes the assessment report,
background information and strategies for the im-
plementation of recommendations, consultant
roles, and a list of cultural organizations in the
region is available from the Northampton Center
for the Arts (584- 7327).
Sincerely,
"_ �a
David B. Musante, Jr. /
Mayor
t,u+ie
2 H
i e
f i
a
I",. -1 v
"Northampton is a cultural gem serving one of the
Commonwealth's most important regions. That is
just one reason why the Council is happy to have
been a partner in the creation of an agenda for
Northampton's future.
What a pleasure it has been to visit the area
often during the study's progress, and what an
equal pleasure it is to now have a document that
can be a model for other such efforts across the
Commonwealth."
Anne Hawley
Executive Director
Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities
2 — Northampton Cultural Plan
The Vision
A vision has emerged of Northampton
as a place where artists, arts organiza-
tions, citizens, and city government work
collaboratively to ensure an environment
which supports excellence in arts crea-
tion, preservation of cultural resources,
and opportunity for arts participation for
every Northampton citizen;
Where residents, businesses, visitors,
and government recognize Northampton
as outstanding for a quality of life en-
hanced by a living art and culture;
Where an effective arts advocacy net-
work contributes on behalf of the cultural
community to good decisions by city
government, city agencies, the school
board, and the business community;
Where the arts are an integral part of
every child's education;
Where government acts to secure a
future for its artists by helping protect and
develop artist studios, rehearsal spaces,
and exhibition and performance facilities;
Where private sector businesses and
individuals see it in their self- interest to
invest financial and in -kind support to
cultural organizations;
Where there is a central source of in-
formation and assistance for artists and
their audiences.
Where buildings, streets, and signs
are shaped with consideration of aesthet
ics and where art is found in public
places; and
Where this cultural plan is imple-
mented by the Northampton Arts Council,
broadly representative of Northampton's
cultural community, working with the help
of the Northampton Centerfor the Arts.
Northampton Cultural Plan — 3
Introduction
The Northampton Cultural Planning Project represents the
city's first effort to consider its arts and cultural assets in a
comprehensive manner. In planning for cultural growth,
Northampton takes active steps towards protecting,
preserving; and enhancing the noted livability of the city.
The Northampton Cultural Planning Project was designed to
identify and address the needs of both the community at large
and the artistic community. There were two phases: assess-
ment and planning. Both phases emphasized extensive con-
tact with a broad array of artists and community leaders and a
high degree of public participation. Anyone who indicated
interest was invited to participate in the project.
Staff of the Arts Extension Service, Division of Continuing
Education, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, served as
consultants and facilitators to the city, the Northampton Arts
Council, and the Northampton Center for the Arts on this proj-
ect. The assessment phase centered around interviews and
conversations with over 80 local leaders from the fields of
education, business, media, social service, government, and
finance, as well as culture and the arts. Two public meetings
were held to gather further information on the cultural needs
of the community. Approximately 60 people attended these
meetings. Additionally, the consultants reviewed secondary
source material for information about the demographic, eco-
nomic, and physical characteristics of the city. An assess-
ment report was completed in March 1988 and distributed to a
community -based Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee carefully reviewed the assessment
report, and evaluated and revised the proposed structure for
the planning phase. Five Task Forces were created with a
representative mix of community volunteers to address the
critical issues identified in the assessment report. The Task
Force topics were:
1) Community, Communication, and Coordination: The
need to develop effective communication and coordination
among local artists, cultural organizations, and the commu-
nity.
2) Municipal Support for the Arts: The need to optimize
municipal support for the arts as a base and catalyst for local
cultural development.
3) Arts in the Northampton School System: The need to
ensure an integrated role for arts and culture in the Northamp-
ton school system.
4) Private Sector Support for Local Arts: The need to in-
crease private sector financial and in -kind support for
Northampton's artists and cultural resources.
5) Space for Artists and Cultural Organizations — Living,
Working, Office and Presentation: The need to ensure the
availability of affordable space for artists and cultural organi-
zations in Northampton.
4 — Northampton Cultural Plan
Using the assessment report as a
guide for their planning work, Task
Forces worked from March to October
1988. Preliminary Task Force recom-
mendations were presented to the
Steering Committee in September. Is-
sues that required Steering Committee
input were addressed in October and
November. A draft of the final plan was
distributed to the Steering Committee in
November, followed by a public meeting
for final comments in December.
Recommendations presented in this
plan were developed by the consultants
based on the work of Task Force
groups. All recommendations included
in this report are endorsed by the
Steering Committee of the Northampton
Cultural Planning Project.
The publication of this document
completes the formal planning process.
It provides a three -year blueprint for ac-
tion —the implementation of specific rec-
ommendations to create a culturally en-
riching, inspiring, and accessible envi-
ronment for Northampton's residents.
recommendations, consultant roles, and a list of cultural organizations In the region Is available tram the
Northampton Center for the Arts (584 - 7327).
Northampton Cultural Plan — 5
GOAL
Community Cultural Leadership: The city's cultural
community will be organized for communication, advocacy
and action on behalf of artists, cultural organizations, and
the community.
1.1 The Northampton Arts Council should reorganize and enlarge its board
to provide leadership to advocate for the interests of artists, arts organi-
zations and audiences, and to provide a forum for communication and
action within the cultural community.
1.2 The Northampton Arts Council and the Northampton Center for the Arts
should lead the cultural community to implement the Northampton Cul-
tural Plan.
1.3 Within the larger Northampton Arts Council, the Northampton Arts Lot-
tery should become an independent subcommittee, charged with the
management of the Arts Lottery grants.
1.4 The Steering Committee and the Northampton Arts Council should work
to raise funds from city, state and private sources to create an Arts Co-
ordinator position to implement appropriate recommendations of this
plan (See 2.3).
1.5 Northampton's cultural organizations should meet on a regular basis to
facilitate communication, education and collaboration.
1.6 Annually, the Center for the Arts and the Northampton Arts Council
should provide policy- makers within city government and the school sys-
tem with an orientation to the community's cultural resources to pro-
mote communication, education and collaboration.
GOAL
Municipal Support for the Arts: City government will
increase direct municipal support for the arts as a base and
catalyst for local cultural development.
2.1 The Northampton City Council and the School Committee should for-
mally accept the Northampton Cultural Plan from the Steering Commit-
tee as an expression of the collective vision of the Northampton cultural
community and as a guide to future city planning and policy making.
2.2 The Northampton City Council and the School Committee should adopt
a policy statement proposed by the Northampton Arts Council which
acknowledges the city's commitment to cultural development.
2.3 The City should provide leadership funding for an Arts Coordination po-
sition to begin implementation of the Northampton Cultural Plan.
2.4 The City Council should adopt policies and procedures for municipal
funding of cultural programs, such as First Night activities and Hispanic
Heritage Week.
2.5 City Hall staff should work with elected state official's staff to research
ways to raise funds for the arts through fees or levies such as cultural
districting and a percent for art program.
2.6 City Hall staff should continue to provide assistance for cultural initia-
tives which will benefit the broader community.
2.7 The Center for the Arts, the Northampton Arts Council, the Recreation
Department, and representatives of the Northampton School System
should plan for municipal arts programs such as professional arts in-
struction, cultural field trips, after- school arts programs, and summer/
vacation ramps dedicated to the arts and culture.
6 — Northampton Cultural Plan
Responsibility
Northampton Arts Council
'Northampton Arts Council
'Center for the Arts
Steering Committee
'Northampton Arts Council
'Steering Committee
Northampton Arts Council
Center for the Arts
'Center for the Arts
Northampton Arts Council
Steering Committee
Northampton Arts Council
Advocacy Committee of Steering
Committee
Northampton Arts Council
Northampton Arts Council
'Mayor's Executive Assistant
Elected State Official's Staff
Mayor's Executive Assistant
Center for the Arts
Northampton Cultural Plan
Time Frame
January - March, 1989'
Cost
No Cost
Source
Ongoing
(Costs distributed throughout Plan)
By September, 1989
No Cost
January -June, 1989
$24,000 Salary'
7,500 Program Costs
4,500 Administrative Costs
$36,000 Total
Private Sector
City of Northampton
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
and Humanities
Ongoing
No Cost
Ongoing
No Cost
By March 1989
No Cost
By March 1989
No Cost
By July 1989
($12,000)'
City of Northampton
January 1990-
December 1990
No Cost
July- December 1989
In -kind
Offices of Elected State Officials
Ongoing
In -kind
City of Northampton
September 1989- Ongoing
No Cost
NOTES:
'Recruitment of new members following expansion is ongoing responsibility,
°This amount includes $12,000 of municipal funding. (See 23.)
'This amount has been included as the municipal match toward the targeted
$24,000 recommended in 1.4.
Northampton Cultural Plan —7
GOAL
Arts in the Northampton School System: Sequential arts
instruction, arts enrichment of other curricula, and
interaction with artists will be an integral part of every
child's education in the Northampton public school system.
3.1 The cultural community should join with the school committee, adminis-
trators, parents and teachers to form an arts education planning com-
mittee to actively support and participate in a comprehensive evaluation
of the existing arts curriculum and programming in the school system.
3.2 Following the implementation of recommendation 3.1, the arts education
planning committee should support, advocate and participate in a plan-
ning process to establish the arts as a vital part of public school educa-
tion in Northampton.
3.3 The Center for the Arts, the Northampton School Department, and the
Northampton Arts Council should gather and promote information on
funding resources and arts and education programs.
GOAL 4
Artist Information and Services: An Alliance of artists will
organize to act on their own behalf.
4.1 Northampton artists should organize an Artist Alliance.
4.2 The Center for the Arts should seek funds to create a part-time position
of Artist Advocate to assist the Artist Alliance with advocacy, information
and communication.
4.3 A basic grants resource center should be established at the Center for
the Arts, overseen by the Artist Advocate.
GOAL
Private Sector Support for Local Arts: An expanded base of
businesses and individuals will increase financial and in-
kind support for Northampton's artists, cultural
organizations and cultural resources.
5.1 The Steering Committee and the Northampton Arts Council should se-
cure business and private patron leadership on a standing committee
(Committee on Private Sector Arts Support) to undertake projects which
would expand the base of private sector arts support in Greater Northamp-
ton,
5.2 The Committee on Private Sector Arts Support should mount a publicity
campaign to promote the purchase of art work and paid attendance at
cultural events as the most important and direct form of support for art-
ists and cultural organizations.
5.3 The Committee on Private Sector Arts Support should develop an edu-
cational program, such as a forum to explore the economic benefits of
the arts, to promote increased private sector cash and in -kind contribu-
tions to the arts.
5.4 Following the implementation of recommendations 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, the
Committee on Private Sector Arts Support should determine the feasi-
bility of establishing a Greater Northampton United Arts Fund.
5.5 The Committee on Private Sector Arts Support and the Artist Alliance
should promote collaborations between artists, cultural organizations
and businesses for their mutual benefit.
5.6 The Center for the Arts (CFA) should establish registries of account-
ants, lawyers, doctors and other professionals who would be interested
and willing to enter into creative business relationships with artists.
8 — Northampton Cultural Plan
Responsibility
Fine Arts Coordinator, Northampton School
System
Arts Education Planning Committee
'Center for the Arts
School Department
Northampton Arts Council
Center for the Arts
Center for the Arts
Center for the Arts
'Steering Committee'
Northampton Arts Council
Committee on Private Sector Arts Support
Committee on Private Sector Arts Support
Committee on Private Sector Arts Support
Committee on Private Sector Arts Support
Center for the Arts
Northampton Cultural Plan
Time Frame
Cost
Source
$1,000 - 3,000
Private Sector
September, 1989 -June, 1990
(Coordination Costs)
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
and Humanities
September, 1990 -June, 1991
$2,000 - 3,000
(Coordination Costs)
Private Sector
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
and Humanities
$1,500
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
January, 1989 - Ongoing
and Humanities
January, 1989 - Ongoing
No Cost
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
January, 1989 - Ongoing
$18,000' Annually
and Humanities
Private Sector
$1,500
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
September, 1989 - Ongoing
and Human ities
NOTES:
'This amount includes $4,5000 for administration, and $13,500 for a part-time po-
sition.
2The Steering Committee is charged with establishing the Committee on Private
Sector Arts Support. The Northampton Arts Council will assume responsibility
for the Committee on Private Sector Arts Support by July, 1989.
January-September 1989
No Cost
September 1989 -March 1990
$2,000
Private Sector
September 1989 -March 1990
$500
Private Sector
March -June 1990
No Cost
September 1989 -Ongoing
No Cost
Private Sector
June 1989 -Ongoing
$1,500
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
and Humanities
Northampton Cultural Plan -9
GOAL 6
Space for Artists and Cultural Organizations — Living,
Working, Office and Presentation: Affordable space for
artists and cultural organizations in Northampton will be
available.
6.1 The Northampton City Council should amend the zoning code in
Northampton to support and encourage work space for artists.
6.2 The Center for the Arts and the Artist Alliance should stay informed
about city planning issues which affect the affordability and availability
of space for artists and cultural organizations, and be positioned to act
upon development opportunities as they arise.
6.3 The Center for the Arts should work to ensure that existing arts spaces
are used to maximum rapacity.
6.4 Performing artists and organizations should organize and work with the
Artist Advocate and city representatives to secure stable rehearsal and
performance space.
6.5 Artists interested in securing permanent space should work with the
Artist Advocate to organize and promote the development of live /work
or studio space.
6.6 The boards of "municipally owned" and privately managed institutions
such as the Academy of Music, Forbes Library, Look Park and the
Center for the Arts, should initiate forums to open communication with
potential users.
GOAL 7
Quality of the Built Environment: The cultural community
will participate in city planning to promote quality design
and public art.
7.1 The Northampton Arts Council should appoint members to attend quar-
terly meetings of the Strategic Planning Cabinet and function as liai-
sons with municipal boards, commissions and departments to stay
abreast of relevant projects and to communicate the need for action to
the Arts Council,
7.2 The Northampton Arts Council should promote aesthetic considerations
into deliberations of municipal boards, commissions and departments
that affect the quality of the built environment in accordance with the
language of the establishing ordinance.
7.3 The Northampton Arts Council should work with municipal boards,
departments, commissions and city officials to develop policies and
procedures for art in public spaces and a public art plan.
7..4 The City should establish policies for its municipal art collection.
10 —Northampton Cultural Plan
Responsibility Meadership)
'Northampton Arts Council
Office of Planning and Development
Center for the Arts
Center for the Arts
Center for the Arts
Center for the Arts
Steering Committee
Northampton Arts Council
Northampton Arts Council
Northampton Arts Council
Northampton Arts Council
Northampton Cultural Plan
Time Frame
January -September, 1989
Cost
No Cost
Source
City of Northampton
January, 1989 - Ongoing
($1,500),
Private Sector
January, 1989 - Ongoing
($1,500),
Private Sector
January, 1989 - Ongoing
($1,500)'
Private Sector
March, 1989- Ongoing
($1,500)'
Private Sector
April - June, 1989, Annually
No Cost
March, 1989 - Ongoing
No Cost
January, 1990 - Ongoing
No Cost
January, 1990 - Ongoing
$3,000
Massachusetts Council on the Arts
and Humanities
City of Northampton
May, 1989 - May, 1990
No Cost
NOTES:
'This cost is reflected in the salary
of the Artist Advocate in Recom-
mendation 4.2.
Northampton Cultural Plan — 11
�r
t
12 — Northampton Cultural Plan
Participants Stephen Smith C College
Photographer, Northampton Arts
Council, Smith Colle e
Dana Salisbury, Visual Artist
Kiki Smith, Costumer, Smith College
This project would not have been Pip Stromgren, Daily Hampshire Gazette
P 1 Chris Thornley, Project Opera
possible without the commitment and Peter Whalen, Goggins & Whalen
participation of representatives from Alexandra Young, Smith College Museum of Art
the cultural community and the
community at large. Many Steering
Committee members participated as Ex Officio Members
chairpersons and members of Task
Forces. Many Task Force members Michael J. Ahearn, Jr., City Councilor
worked beyond formal meetings William Ames, City Councilor
contacting other residents for Paul D. Bixby, City Councilor
information and advice. Overall 140 James G. Brooks, City Councilor
people attended over 50 meetings Leonard Budgar, City Councilor
contributing more than 2,000 volunteer Carla Cataldo, Assistant to the Mayor
hours to this project. Mary Maples Dunn, Smith College
John E. Fitzgerald, Jr., City Councilor
Mary Ford, City Councilor
Penny Kim, Office of Planning and Development
Joan Kochin, City Councilor
Steering Commttee Raymond W. LaBarge, City Councilor
David B. Musante, Jr., Mayor, City of Northampton
Chairman Bart Gordon, Attorney William Nagle, Jr., State Representative
Jane Ahlfeld, Northampton Arts Council Ashley Pittman, Aide to Representative William Nagle, Jr.
Erica Blanc!-Jones, Smith College John W. Olver, State Senator
Rita Bleiman, School Committee Sylvia Cuomo, Aide to Senator John Olver
(Former Member) Carlene Riccelli, Former Assistant to the Mayor
David Bourbeau, Book Artist Pat Sackrey, Hampshire County Commissioner
Mark Brumberg, Globe Bookshop
Marcia Burick, Resident
Bob Cilman, Council on Aging, Young
at Heart Chorus
Darryl Clark, Depot Restaurant Task Force Members
Michael Cooper, Performing Artist
Marilyn Dec, Heritage -NIS
Robyn Doty, Performing Artist Community Support and
Ann Dunphy, Cooley Dickinson Communication in the Arts
Hospital, Academy of Music Co- ChatrStephan Fenton, Writer, Attorney
Nancy Duseau, Northampton Planning
Board Co -Chair Meg Irwin Brandon, Musician, Northampton Arts
Brian Elliot, Look Park Council
Stephan Fenton, Writer, Attorney Kitty Axelson, Valley Advocate
Leslie Ferrin, Pinch Pottery Blaise Bisaillon, Forbes Library
Jose Garcia, Photographer Joe Blumenthal, Downtown Sounds
Thomas Hennessy, WHMP Jose Bou, Hispanic Heritage Week Committee
Linda Horvitz Post, Visual Artist David Bourbeau, Book Artist
Meg Irwin Brandon, Musician, Russ Carrier, Forbes Library
Northampton Arts Council Jon DiBenedetto, Valley Independent Cinema
Leland Johnston, Visual Artist James Emery, Artist
Pat Keating, Northampton Arts Council Roy Faudree, No Theater
Claudia Lefko, School Committee Bill Feinstein, Northampton Community Music School
Anin Marcus, Notable Performances Faye Frail, Writer
Tanyss Rhea Martula, Playwright John Furbish, Video Artist
John Morrison, Pleasant Street Theater Pat Hayes, Artist, Writer
Susan Norris, Fine Arts Coordinator, Gregory Hayes, Musician
Robert Finn School Tom Hennessy, WHMP
Northampton Cultural Plan —13
Ralph Intorcio, Young at Heart Chorus
Barbara Kauff, East Street Dance Studio
Michael Mufson, TheaterArtist
Dana Salisbury, Visual Artist
Loretta Selgelld, Resident
John Stifler, Writer, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Sheryl Stoodley, Cultural Images
Peter Whalen, Board Member, Center for the Arts
Ruth Wilbur, Northampton Historical Society
Mary Lou Wittig, Resident
Alexandra Young, Smith College Museum of Art
Municipal Support for the Arts
Co -Chair Ann Dunphy, Board Member, Academy of Music
Co -Chair Patricia Keating, Northampton Arts Council
Marcia Burick, Resident
Stephen Calcagnino, Center for the Arts
Sue Carrell, Board Member, Center for the Arts
Deborah Compton, Center for the Arts
Brian Elliot, Look Park
Daniel Grant, Artist, Writer, Northampton Arts Council
Barbara Harrington, Present Stage Company
Leland Johnston, Artist
Tanyss Rhea Martula, Playwright
John Morrison, Pleasant Street Theater
Stephen Petegorsky, Photographer, Northampton Arts
Council, Smith College
Freida Ployer, Resident
John Richards, Board of Public Works
Glenn Ruga, Graphic Artist
Helen Searing, Smith College
KIM Smith, Costumer, Smith College
Private Sector Support
for the Arts
Co -Chair Leslie Ferrin, Pinch Pottery,
Northampton Arts Council
Co -Chair Pip Stromgren, Daily
Hampshire Gazette
Erica Bianci- Jones, Smith College
Darryl Clark, Depot Restaurant
Gail Collins, Pioneer Valley Ballet
Marilyn Dec, Heritage -NIS
Robin Doty, Cultural Images Group
Shawn Farley, Residential Arts,
University of Massachusetts
Sylvia Fine, Fine's Clothing
Jose Garcia, Photographer
John Gare, E.J. Gare and Son,
Downtown Business Association
Jane Gliserman, Resident
Denise Goggins, Resident
Susan Grinnell, Sync Gallery
Keen Hahn, Center for the Arts
Linda Horvitz Post, Visual Artist
Merry Nasser, Attorney
Lynne Parsons, Sync Gallery
Richard Rescia, Project Opera
Harriet Rogers, Skera
Eva Trager, Country Comfort
Suzanne Walker, YMCA
Paul Walker, Chamber of Commerce
Pamela White, Northampton Arts
Council
14 — Northampton Cultural Plan
Arts in the Northampton
School System
Co -Chair Rita Bleiman, Playwright
Co -Chair Michael Cooper, Artist
Davis Bates, Pioneer Valley Folklore
Society
Jacquiline Coe, WFCR
Shon Cox Doucette, Northampton Arts
Council
Kathy Goos, Ceramist
Andrea Hairston, Playwright
Diane Harr, Art Teacher
Claudia Lefko, Northampton School
Committee
Anin Marcus, Notable Performances
Lydia Nettler, Visual Artist, Advocates
for Children's Education
Susan Norris, Fine Arts Coordinator,
Northampton Arts Council
Anne Marie Novak, Northampton
Community Music School
Abel Ross, Northampton Arts Council
Suzanne Russin, Resident
Carolyn Sadeh, Theatre Artist, Dancer
Katherine Sanderson, Dance Gallery,
Syllepsis
Alm rO
Steven Stoia, New England Puppetry Series
Suzanne Stone, Northampton Historical Society
Virginia Sullivan, Northampton School Committee
Cathy Topal, Art Teacher
Joan Wiener, Resident
Ann Woodhull, VisualArtist
Space for Artists and Cultural Organizations
Co -Chair Bob Cilman, Young at Heart Chorus, Council on
Aging
Co -Chair Nancy Duseau, Northampton Planning Board
Mark Brumberg, Globe Bookshop
Will Bundy, Video Artist, Northampton Fair Housing
Committee
Sylvia Cuomo, Aide to Senator John Olver
John Fiscella, Theatre Artist
Janet Gezork, The Montague Group
Bart Gordon, Attorney
Patricia Gorman, Dancer, Danscape
Richard Hardie, Woodworking Artist
Libby Hubbard, Visual Artist
Silas Kopf, Woodworking Artist
Karen Mailler, Dancer, Northeast American Ballet
Emma Missouri, TheaterArtist, Chrysalis
R. Leroy Moser, Resident
Northampton Cultural Plan 15
Larry O'Connor, Valley Community Development Corpora- Jordy Herold, Iron Horse Cafe
tion
Penny Kim, Office of Planning and
Marc Olivere, Center for the Arts
Development
Mary Parker, Northampton Arts Council
Joseph Koncas, Northampton Police
Audrey Pepper, Visual Artist
Department
Ashley Pittman, Aide to Representative William Nagle
Cindy Langley, Council on Aging
Bill Sayre, Woodworking Artist
Dennis Lee, WHMP
Susan Well, Realtor
Claudia Lefko, Member, School Com-
Fred Wessel, Visual Artist
mittee
Helen Lennon, Legislative Aide to
Senator John Olver
Tanyss Rhea Martula, Artist
Interviewees
John Morrison, Pleasant Street
Theatre & Video
The following people contributed their opinions
Bill Muller, Guild Art Centre
and ideas during the plan's assessment phase.
David B. Musante, Jr., Mayor, City of
Northampton
Michael J. Ahearn, Jr., City Councilor
William Nagle, Jr., State Representa-
Jane Ahlfeld, Northampton Arts Council
tive
Bill Arnold, Photographer
Susan Norris, Fine Arts Coordinator,
Rita Bleiman, School Committee (Former Member)
Northampton Public Schools
Jose Bou, Hispanic Heritage Week Committee
Gordon Noseworthy, Principal,
William Brandt, Smith College
Northampton High School
James G. Brooks, City Councilor
Conn Nugent, Five Colleges, Inc.
Gene Bunnell, Office of Planning and Development (Former
Scott Prior, Artist
Director)
Marietta Pritchard, Daily Hampshire
Marcia Burick, Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Gazette
Richard Carnes, John F. Kennedy Junior High School
Richard Rescla, Project Opera
Charles Chatham, Smith College Museum of Art
John Richards, Board of Public Works
Bob Cilman, Young at Heart Chorus
Harriet Rogers, Skera
Kerrie Jones Clark, Hampshire Community Action Commis-
David Rostoff, Hotel Northampton
Sion
Stephen Rostoff, Hotel Northampton
Richard Covell, Heritage -NIS
Pat Sackrey, Hampshire County Com-
Stu Crocker, Resident
missioner
Domingo DeJesus, Casa Latina
Katherine Sanderson, Dance Gallery
Charles DeRose, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Kay Sheehan, Leeds School
Peter DeRose, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Larry Smith, Office of Planning and
Robin Doty, Cultural Images Group
Development
Mary Maples Dunn, Smith College
Suzanne Stone, Northampton Historical
Ann Dunphy, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Academy of Music
Society
Ray Ellerbrook, Department of Recreation
Gordon Thorne, Artist
Brian Elliot, Look Park
Christopher Thornley, Project Opera
Ed Etheredge, First Assistant District Attorney
Bob Walker, Construct Associates
Shawn Farley, Northampton Center for the Arts
Paul Walker, Chamber of Commerce
Leslie Ferrin, Pinch Pottery
Peter Whalen, Goggins and Whalen
John Fiscella, Artist
Ruth Wilbur, Northampton Historical
Mary Ford, City Councilor
Society
James Foudy, Daily Hampshire Gazette
Sandy Young, Smith College Museum
Robert Gallant, Highland Valley Elder Services
of Art
John Gare, E.J. Gare & Son
John Youngblood, Kollmorgen Corpo-
Janet Gezork, The Montague Group
ration
Pat Goggins, Goggins and Whalen
Bart Gordon, Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas
AI Griggs, Coca Cola
We apologize to anyone whose name
Fred Grinnell, Woodward & Grinnell
may have been inadvertently omitted
Andrea Hairston, Chrysalis
from the lists of participants.
Barbara Harrington, Present Stage Company
John Helweg, Theatre Department, Smith College
16 — Northampton Cultural Plan
"The participation of artists and
community members throughout
the cultural planning-process has
given us all a chance to hear,
many for the first time, the
collective perspectives and
thoughts of the people of
Northampton concerning the
future of the arts. The lessons
that are being learned and the
information that has been
developed out of the process,
points us towards a clearer
direction in managing our
cultural affairs.
The production of the cultural
plan is a start. Now we must
continue on and build upon this
highly useful wealth of
information."
Stephen Calcagnino
Director
Northampton Center for the Arts
The cultural planning process was
ably coordinated with dedication,
determination, perseverance and
panache by:
Consultants
The Arts Extension Service
Division of Continuing Education
University of Massachusetts
at Amherst
Barbara Schaffer Bacon
Karen Krieger
Craig Dreeszen
Staff
The Northampton Center
for the Arts
Steve Calcagnino
Deborah Compton
Keen Hahn
Michael Mufson
Mark Olivere
Acknowledgements
The participants in the Northampton Cultural Plan thank the
following businesses, organizations and individuals for their
generous contributions of time and resources:
Jane Ahifeld
Arts Extension Service, Division of Continuing Education,
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Judson Brown
Emily Calcagnino
Carla Cataldo
Darryl Clark
Cleare Communications
Continental Cablevision
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Mary Maples Dunn
Shawn Farley
Leslie Ferrin
First Baptist Church of Northampton
Richard Fogel
Marc Futter
John Gare
Gazette Printing Company, Inc.
Barbara Gittleman
Guild Art Center
Anne Hawley
Claire Higgins
Mary Kay Hoffman
Hotel Northampton
Leland Johnston
Cindy Langley
Claudia Lefko
Shari Levinson
Richard MacMillan
Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities
Mark Metzger
Chris Milne
David B. Musante, Jr., Mayor
William Nagle, Jr., State Representative, and Staff
Susan Norris
Northampton Arts Council
Northampton Brewery
Northampton Center for the Arts
Northampton City Council
Northampton Council on Aging
Northampton Office of Planning and Development
Northampton Theater Alliance
John Diver, State Senator, and Staff
Pinch Pottery
Marietta Pritchard
Plymouth Paper Company
Carlene Rlccelli
Shelley Rotner
John Sheehan
Michael Sissman
Steve Stole
Smith College
Pip Stromgren
Paul Walker
Mark Winetrout