As a municipality, Newbury is tax exempt under Section 170(c)(1) of the IRS code (full citation is Title 26, Subtitle A, Chapter 1, subchapter B, Part VI, Section 170(c)(1) ).  The properties are town owned and the managers have been appointed by the Town to serve as supervisors of the programs/facilities.

When the Byfield elementary school closed in 1997, a committed group of local residents proposed turning the school building and the adjacent town hall into an arts center. The school, built in 1901, still has much work to be done before it can realize its full potential of housing artist' studios, workshops, and a gallery. The town hall, built in 1898, is open and available for classes, performances, and other events.

Our mission is to promote community through and with the arts. It is our hope to restore these beautiful buildings and make them the center of community activity, not just in Byfield, but the greater regional community as well. Our goal is to provide area residents with a diverse offering of quality classes at an affordable price.

If you have any questions, or would like to be involved, please contact us.