Newton Community Pride marks 35th anniversary

From whimsical public art to multiple free concerts and beyond, creative programming in the Garden City would not be as varied and widespread as it is today without decades of support by Newton Community Pride.

The nonprofit, which is marking its 35th anniversary this year, has championed innovative projects, entertaining performances and more throughout the city. Its mission is to build “community through free arts and culture programming, public art, beautification projects and volunteerism,” according to its website. Over the years it has successfully worked to enrich the artistic landscape in Newton through partnerships with other organizations and the hard work of volunteers.

One of its signature events – the Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts – runs May 17-19, and is named after the woman who co-created the nonprofit.

Behind the scenes, NCP has been “the unsung hero of a lot of arts and culture” in Newton, said Meryl Kessler, who is co-chairwoman of its board of directors with Gloria Gavris.

The organization partners with the City to help fund numerous community arts initiatives through partnerships with sponsors. “The City has limited finances,” said Kessler.

NCP was founded in 1989, after Newton’s tricentennial celebration. Using money left over from that event, then-Mayor Teddy Mann and Plaut, director of Arts in the Parks (later director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs), decided to form a nonprofit to promote the arts in Newton, according to Gavris.

It “was the fundraising arm for arts and culture in the city,” said Kessler. “It was [Plaut’s] brainchild.”

NCP, an all-volunteer organization for most of its existence, became the funnel for sponsorship dollars from local businesses to support free and accessible events.

After Plaut died in 2019, “there was a void,” said Gavris. The organization had to consider its next moves, and Covid also prompted changes. In 2020, NCP hired its first staff member, Blair Lesser Sullivan, as executive director.

The nonprofit also decided to “expand its mission to include public art initiatives, a micro-grant program, [a] high school arts scholarship program, and new community festivals,” said Gavris.

Varied visual arts

“We keep growing and adding new programs and bringing this community together,” said Lesser Sullivan.

This year’s public art initiative is #PictureUsNewton, featuring selfie stations created by local artists that are being installed throughout the city. A map of the locations will be available by May 17, according to NCP.

“Photos taken at these selfie stations will create a community photo album illustrating our diverse, welcoming city,” according to NCP. “Starting on May 17, you will be able to upload your photos here and share on your social media platforms using the hashtag #PictureUsNewton.”

The selfie stations are only the latest in a series of eye-catching, interactive public art programs in the city. Since 2021, those strolling through village centers may have come across pianos, church pews, doors, bistro tables, and jersey barriers painted by local and regional artists with one-of-a-kind designs. By helping to fund these public art projects that residents can sit on or near, play or admire, NCP is continuing to meet its mission’s goals. Previous projects include:

• 2021: “Newton Out Doors,” which featured the installation of about 20 decorated, recycled wooden doors “to promote the walkability and economic vitality of Newton’s unique village centers,” according to NCP.
• 2021: “Newton Artful Pianos,” which featured nine of the painted, playable instruments installed throughout the city.
• 2021: “Newton al Fresco,” which featured painted bistro tables, murals, and jersey barriers “to bring color and creativity to our village centers,” according to NCP.
• 2022: “Sit and Let Your Spirit Soar,” in which 19 donated church pews were temporarily installed throughout the city, as “three-dimensional functional art,” according to NCP.
• 2023: “Celebrate Newton Banners,” in which “approximately 130 light pole banners decorated with designs celebrating the culture, history, diversity, values, and beauty of the City of Newton” were installed, according to the website.

Micro grants, scholarships and more

A few years ago, NCP expanded its mission to help creators bring their visions to reality.

The nonprofit started giving out $10,000 in micro grants per year since 2021 ($40,000 so far), for those whose “projects align with our mission,” said Lesser Sullivan. “It’s provided seed money to these smaller groups … [where] a little goes a long way.” The 2024 Spring Community Micro Grant recipients included:

• Andromeda Belly Dance – Hafla 2024
• Indigenous Peoples Day Newton
• Klezmer Dance Party
• Music Mondays Summer Concerts
• Newton Theatre Company Kindertransport
• Suzuki School of Newton’s Community Day

NCP’s fall 2024, application process will open on August 1 and will close on September 1. Grant criteria are listed on the organization’s website.

The nonprofit gives out three Nancy Quint Schön Arts Scholarships per year to Newton high-school students intending to pursue the arts in higher education. Schon, a Newton resident, created the internationally known Make Way for Ducklings statues located in Boston Public Garden.

Along with the upcoming, three-day Linda Plaut Festival that will feature multiple genres of music as well as spoken-word performances, NCP has supported other events year-round, including the free Fall Village Concert Series; Meet the Maestro event with Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart; the Haiku Newton contest; WinterFEST; events for Black History Month, and more.

NCP has continued to support the Newton Parks, Recreation & Culture Department with community grants over the years that have funded multiple City programs including, Fourth of July Celebrations and the Halloween Window Painting project. The nonprofit has also been the fiscal sponsor for Newton Open Studios, PorchFEST, Tonewood, and Newton Family Singers.

Even if you do not attend a single performance, you still can see the organization’s efforts in the city, especially heading into summer. Since 1990, NCP’s Beautification Committee has been tending to gardens throughout Newton.

“That brings a lot of joy to people,” said Gavris.

As for the next 35 years, Lesser Sullivan said, “We are going to continue to build on our current events and brainstorm new ideas.”

Kessler hopes more residents will consider joining their efforts as volunteers to “help make Newton an even more vibrant …. community.”

“We welcome new volunteers with open arms,” said Lesser Sullivan.