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OUR MISSION Saratoga Arts’ mission is to enrich the region by cultivating a vibrant arts community and by ensuring that the arts are accessible to all. We are YOUR Community Arts Center. WHO WE ARE Saratoga Arts is the community arts center located on the corner of Congress Park and Broadway in historic downtown Saratoga Springs. Accommodating all genres of creativity, we are home to arts education for both kids and adults in multiple studio style classroom spaces, a dedicated printshop, rehearsal and music studios, a gallery and exhibition space, a black box theater for film, music, theater, special events, a gift shop and so much more.All of our activities flow directly from our mission of making the arts accessible: we encourage and enhance public access to a full range of the arts and art modes, from traditional work by established artists and performers to contemporary work by emerging artists; we help all in the community recognize themselves as artists and explore their abilities to make art, and in our programming and approach to programming we enact that commitment; and finally, we work with other organizations in the region – arts presenters, business groups, and governmental agencies – toward our vision of a greater community that understands the powerful role the arts play in personal enrichment and community development, and the regional interconnections of all stakeholders in that vision. | OUR HISTORY Saratoga Arts is a community arts organization that has been a long-time economic engine and part of Saratoga Springs’ community identity. Saratoga Arts first Executive Director, Delores “Dee” Sarno, championed the founding of Saratoga County Arts Council in 1986. Originating from an offshoot of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, with a clear vision, Sarno became the first Executive Director and grew the organization over her 21 years of leadership. Saratoga Arts established a permanent home in the former Saratoga Springs Public Library at 320 Broadway, signing its first lease with the City of Saratoga Springs in 1996. Over the next four years, Saratoga Arts raised $550,000 toward a capital campaign that enabled the creation of a variety of spaces designed for art creation and presentation, including adding a 100+ seat black box theater, later named in Sarno’s honor, gallery spaces, offices, and classrooms. |
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WHAT WE’RE DOING DURING OUR RENOVATIONS Saratoga Arts is excited to announce the commencement of its long-awaited renovation to 320 Broadway. Funding for the project comes from several sources: a capital project grant award totaling $766,000 from the New York State Council for the Arts (NYSCA), $1.1M in funds from the City of Saratoga Springs, as well as individual and foundation contributions. The scope of the project is to repair the building structure, including windows, roofing and draining issues as well as upgrade internal systems including HVAC, power and internal wiring systems. The renovations will also improve the Saratoga Arts’ gallery, Dee Sarno Theater, classrooms, and educational spaces on the lower level, as well as provide new indoor/outdoor access directly to Congress Park, and a patio for outdoor use. While the 320 Broadway location is undergoing renovation, Saratoga Arts is partnering with several local organizations to continue offering educational programming, holding regular meetings, and hosting other events to keep the momentum going throughout 2025. Adult classes will primarily be held in the Beekman Street arts district, at CREATE Community Studios and at the Beekman Street Community Room behind the Eden Compton Gallery. Most of Saratoga Arts’ kids educational programming, including kids summer arts program, will be held at the Saratoga Independent School. Board and committee meetings will be held at the Saratoga Joinery and the Spring Street Gallery. Saratoga Arts is deeply grateful for the community-wide support from both city and regional organizations that enable the organization to continue to grow and thrive while 320 Broadway undergoes renovation. Saratoga Arts is looking forward to returning to its building in late 2025 and already has begun planning a reopening party and other events in 2025 and into 2026. |
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SARATOGA ARTS STAFF |
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SARATOGA ARTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Allan T. Weatherwax President Research Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Tamara Tepper Vice President Philanthropy Consultant Mary Estelle Ryckman Treasurer Retired U.S. government official, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative-Executive Office of the President; watercolor enthusiast Nancy Sharples Secretary Retired Professor of Fiber Arts and Independent Art Educator | Tiina Loite Retired Photo Editor, The New York Times Ping Xu Founder and Director of Gift of Ping, LLC William Bergan Account Executive, Amsure | Tracy Savage Non-Profit Fundraising Consultant Ex-Officio Amy Bloom Executive Director |
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Saratoga Arts | subscribe to our email list! | Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday |
Saratoga Arts' programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.