Medfield, MA [June 5, 2025] — The Bellforge Arts Center is proud to announce it has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Barr Foundation in recognition of its bold vision to create a vibrant regional hub for the arts and its deep commitment to community engagement for all.
The grant will support Bellforge’s mission to produce and host diverse arts programming that attracts both artists and audiences from across Greater Boston and beyond. With this support, Bellforge will continue to offer paid opportunities for emerging and established artists of all backgrounds and provide access to dynamic, inclusive experiences for audiences throughout the region.
“Through hard work, sheer grit, and an electrifying vision, the team behind the Bellforge Arts Center has made it to an important milestone – breaking ground on the construction to transform this formally underutilized site into a vibrant arts campus, serving artists, the community, and the region,” said SueEllen Kroll, Senior Program Officer on Barr’s Arts program. “We are so thrilled to support Bellforge to sustain its organizational capacity over the next three years to steward the construction project over the finish line, and we look forward to seeing this grand vision come to fruition in the coming years.”
With Barr’s support, Bellforge will present programs and events that engage diverse artists and audiences, and expand regional audience reach.
“We are honored by the Barr Foundation’s investment in Bellforge,” said Renana Kehoe, Director of Development of Bellforge Arts Center. “This funding not only affirms the importance of the Bellforge vision but also helps us move closer to our goal of becoming a thriving cultural destination that reflects and serves the full diversity of our region.”
To date, Bellforge has welcomed over 30,000 participants to its programs over the past three years. The center will build on this success while continuing to further elevate underrepresented voices and make the arts more accessible to all.
“This grant significantly strengthens our capacity to support artists, bring people together through shared cultural experiences, and inspire investment in the arts as a vehicle for regional transformation,” said Jean Mineo, Executive Director of Bellforge Arts Center.
About Bellforge Arts CenterBellforge Arts Center is a new cultural destination in development on the historic grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital in Medfield, Massachusetts. Designed as a regional hub for creativity, wellness, and community connection, Bellforge will feature a 300-seat performance venue, artist studios, classrooms, and expansive outdoor space for festivals, concerts, and public art. Through dynamic programming, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to accessibility and sustainability, Bellforge aims to foster artistic excellence and inspire a new generation of creators and audiences. Learn more at bellforge.org.
