For a small city, Newburyport has an enormous wealth of visual, performing, cultural and literary art resources. Home to renowned artists, writers, performers and musicians, Newburyport offers a vast array of cultural centers and activities. From the Firehouse Center for the Performing and Visual Arts in Market Square to the Maudslay Arts Center in the 480-acre state park, and an abundance of art galleries, Newburyport offers theater, dance and musical productions, visual exhibits and literary events for all seasons.

V i s u a l   A r t s    |   P e r f o r m i n g  A r t s   |   L i t e r a r y   A r t s 

Visual Arts

The Newburyport Art Association’s is located in a historic building that has been a part of Newburyport's waterfront commerce for 200 years. Today, you will find exhibitions and a gift shop that feature work of over 700 regional member artists in diverse media and styles. NAA's galleries: Sargent and Hartson Galleries and Laura Coombs Hill Gallery at 65 Water Street are open from 11-5, Monday - Saturday and 12-5 on Sundays year round. Art classes are held for adults and children. One Wednesday evening each month, the prize-winning Powow River Poets hold readings for visiting and local poets. Exhibitions, poetry readings and most lectures are open to the public, free of charge. Call 978-462-8769  for more information, or visit www.newburyportart.org.

Art Galleries  Newburyport is bustling with cultural activities in any season. There are art lessons for children and adults at the Newburyport Art Association or at one of the many galleries in town. You could spend days strolling through this city's unique art galleries. As you walk to downtown , you'll see galleries featuring paintings, photographs, jewelry and much more. For a complete list of Chamber member galleries, please click here.

Newburyport ArtWalk is a self-guided walking tour of participating galleries. Galleries are open year round and offer a brochure with map that shows a convenient walking tour of all gallery locations in town.  Click Here for complete information.

Somerby's Landing Sculpture Park
When downtown, make sure to visit the western end of The Mayor Peter J. Matthews Memorial Boardwalk. The Sculpture Park enhances the visual appeal of the refurbished waterfront area. The exhibit is open all day every day year round, free of charge. Over 250,000 people will see the artwork during the year-long exhibit.

Performing Arts

Right in the center of downtown, the Firehouse Center for  the Arts offers world class musical and stage productions as well as an ongoing series of art exhibits. The Firehouse Center is situated near the banks of the Merrimack River on Waterfront Park and Market Square. It houses a restaurant, a theater for drama, dance, and musical productions and an art gallery. Its offerings are varied-from Shakespeare to David Mamet; Mozart to jazz, country, folk and rock & roll. The art and sculpture exhibits range from traditional landscapes to still lifes to minimalism and abstract expressionism.
Call 978-462-7336. www.firehouse.org.

Maudslay Arts Center is set in a natural amphitheater, formerly part of a magnificent private estate. In this beautiful setting, music of all variety is performed during July & August. Concerts include pop, classical, folk, country, and big band. Lawn and patio seating are available. Call 978-499-0050 for more information. Visit www.maudslayartscenter.org.

Theater in the Open celebrates its 30th season and its 21st year at Maudslay State Park. Each season this company of actors and artists presents three outdoor productions and one indoor production for the holidays. Each year the season opens with a giant puppet pageant "The Rites of Spring" and offers a haunted Halloween walk, "Maudslay is Haunted." The company of actors and artists range in age from 6-60 and offers summer arts workshops for children and teens. Recipient of the 1999 Mayor's Arts Award. Call 978-465-2572 for more information. Visit www.theaterintheopen.org.

The Newburyport Choral Society holds several highly anticipated concerts each year. Visit www.newburyportchoralsociety.org for details on the group and their upcoming performances.

Music and Dance  Throughout the year both the middle and high school feature well known folk, a cappela and jazz acts. The many dance studios in town regularly hold performances at their studios, at the Firehouse or at other venues in the city.

The Newburyport Chamber Music Festival 
Held in August, this is a week-long annual chamber music festival to celebrate the joy of music and music-making with classical music concerts, open rehearsals, children's concert, and fund-raising dinner with live music.  Call 978-463-9976 for more information. Visit www.NewburyportChamberMusic.org.

The Newburyport Riverfront Music Festival, held annually on the second weekend in July, is a celebration of music that takes place in scenic Waterfront Park in downtown Newburyport.
Click here for more information!

There are numerous outdoor concerts through out Newburyport in the summer months. 
Check the Calendar of events for details.

Literary Arts

The Newburyport Literary Festival
April 2010 will mark the enormously successful Annual Literary Festival. The festival draws more than 50 authors. Over 3,000 attendees enjoy dinner with the authors, readings, panel discussions, book signings and related events throughout the downtown.

Visit their website! www.newburyportliteraryfestival.org.

Newburyport is home to many award-winning writers whose work includes fiction, non-fiction, biography as well as books for children. Independent book stores hold authors' readings and book signings. Poetry readings are hosted at many venues throughout the city and the Powow River Poets have monthly readings at the Newburyport Art Association.