How to Get the Most out of the Arts in Northampton

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

There is a lot to love about Northampton, Massachusetts. This city is one of our great centers for culture and creativity, the area’s colleges, landscapes, and community. The beauty of NoHo, as it’s called by locals, is that it’s a place that continually inspires people to celebrate, create, and be their authentic selves. If you’re an art lover, NoHo is a place you absolutely need to see. Here are some of Northampton’s cultural highlights.

For art lovers, Northampton has a lot to offer. A great place to start your itinerary is the Smith College Museum of Art, or SCMA. The museum has brought people and art together since it opened in the 1870s. To experience and support more modern artists, check out the New England Visionary Artists Museum, which exhibits contemporary and modern art.

Northampton’s art extends well beyond its museums. Thanks to the artists and creators who live in the area, no visit to the city is complete without seeing the thriving local galleries. The Northampton Center for the Arts and the Northampton Community Arts Trust offer artists space to learn, develop, and showcase their craft. Likewise, Available Potential Enterprises, LTD. is an artist-led nonprofit that supports Northampton’s creative community and regularly exhibits local work and hosts workshopping events for artists.

For music lovers, the Academy of Music Theater isn’t just a gorgeous building, it was the first municipally-owned theater in the nation. Since 1891, the theater has put on a diverse variety of programming – professional shows, youth and student performances, educational lectures, and more. On Center Street, The Parlor Room Collective is home to the Parlor Room, Musician’s Workshop, and Iron Horse Music Hall – a must-see venue that that has hosted local and national acts since 1979.

Western Massachusetts is known for its natural beauty, and Northampton is no exception. The town is famous for its special kind of natural art. If the weather permits, check out Pulaski Park – a public garden that features an amazing collection of statues. The Botanic Garden of Smith College is another wonderful place to see the beauty of natural New England.

While you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss what the rest of Hampshire County has to offer. The Mead Art Museum in Amherst offers free admission six days a week, allowing visitors access to over 20,000 artifacts. Also in Amherst, the iconic Yiddish Book Center celebrates and honors Jewish history and identity through events, exhibits, and community. For kids, the Eric Carle Museum of Art brings the one-of-a-kind world of Eric Carle to life, giving visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the author’s most famous creations.

In Massachusetts, we want you to feel inspired – and Hampshire County and the town of Northampton are home of some of our most inspirational places. No matter what kind of art you prefer, NoHo can help scratch your creative itch.

TOPICS: Amherst, Art, Museums, Music, Northampton