Northampton Arts Council

06/09/2026

06/06/2026

MC SPOTLIGHT: Tim Lovett, Comedy with Purpose — Northampton Juneteenth Countdown 🖤❤️💚

“The only thing I ever mastered in life is the art of being me; and in spite of life, I’m me on purpose.”

Tim Lovett brings comedy that does more than make you laugh. His work is purposeful: it challenges, it connects, and it creates space for real conversation. Featured in Northampton Living, Tim’s journey from Lorain, Ohio, to Northampton’s stages is a masterclass in resilience, humor, and transformation.

Since 2015, Tim has led Comedy as a Weapon, an organization that harnesses the power of laughter to create change. He tours on the Chuckling Charlie Comedy Bus, delivering 90-minute shows that are love letters to his hometown.

At the Northampton Juneteenth Festival, experience Tim Lovett as our MC. His presence, his purpose, and his humor will set the tone for a celebration where culture, joy, and real conversation come together.

You don’t want to miss this. 🎉💜✨

June 6, 2026
EJ Gare Plaza, 2 Brewster Court, Northampton, MA 01060
Free Event

RSVP and full festival details
https://positivelyafricana.com/event/northampton-juneteenth-festival-2026/

Facebook event
https://www.facebook.com/share/1D1SgSouj5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Learn more
https://www.reidermedia.com/published-articles/using-comedy-as-a-weapon

Content created by Positively Africana By Aimee | Founder-led cultural platform and media brand | Authentic African retail, gifts, fitness, cultural events, and community experiences | Northampton, Massachusetts | Shipping Nationwide | 25% of profits support women entrepreneurs in the Congo

WesternMass

06/04/2026

Northampton Senior Services Call to Artists: Solo Shows October 2026 - September 2027

Jury will announce selected artists by July 17

12 artists/1 alternate will be selected, and artist works will be displayed for 2 months.

Deadline: June 26, 2026
Submission fee: none
NSC will sponsor 6 joint receptions annually in conjunction with Northampton Arts Night Out

- Must be 55+ years of age. Priority given to artists who live in or near Northampton
- Accepting flatwork (for example: drawing, painting, pastel, photography, fabric, and mixed media)
- Minimum 12 pieces of work must be ready to hang. Artists are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the features and limitations of the gallery space before applying
- Artists will be notified by July 17, 2026 and randomly assigned months/spaces for shows
- NSC takes no percentage of sales but suggests and encourages a donation to NSC if a show is financially successful

Apply here: https://forms.gle/TkUEGF1uonU7Bbvr8

02/10/2026

🎬 Northampton Arts Council Presents KidsBestFest 2026: A Week of Free Family Movies at the Academy of Music

The Northampton Arts Council is proud to present KidsBestFest 2026, a week-long celebration of cinema for children and their families during the February school break. From Monday, February 16, through Friday, February 20, the community is invited to the historic Academy of Music Theatre for five days of heartwarming stories, wild adventures, and stunning animation.

Admission to all screenings is FREE, with donations gratefully accepted at the door to help the Northampton Arts Council keep this beloved community tradition running for years to come.

Event Details
WHEN: Monday, Feb 16 – Friday, Feb 20, 2026
TIME: Doors open at 10:30 AM | Showtime at 11:00 AM
WHERE: The Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA
ADMISSION: Free (Donations encouraged)

2026 Movie Lineup
This year’s lineup features a diverse mix of contemporary hits, international gems, and a restored sci-fi masterpiece:

Monday, Feb 16: Lilo & Stitch (2025) – Kick off the week with the brand-new live-action reimagining of the Disney classic. (PG, 108 min)
Tuesday, Feb 17: Little Amélie or The Character of Rain – A visually stunning animated tale set in post-war Japan about the healing power of connection. (PG, 78 min)
Wednesday, Feb 18: Flow – A thrilling, wordless animated spectacle following a cat and his companions on a boat during a great flood. (PG, 85 min)
Thursday, Feb 19: Grow – A fun, quirky tale of family, perseverance, and prize-winning pumpkins in a fierce competition. (PG, 115 min)
Friday, Feb 20: The Time Masters (Les Maîtres du Temps) – A 4K restoration of the 1982 French sci-fi masterpiece designed by the legendary artist Mœbius. (NR, Ages 10+, 79 min)

Sponsorship and Support
This program is made possible by the generous support of the A2Z Science and Learning Store, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the City of Northampton, Greenfield Savings Bank, and the Academy of Music Theatre.