We’ve broken ground
The next chapter begins
“Our mission has always been to make this site, and this region, a place where the arts belong to everyone.”
Jean Mineo, Executive Director, Bellforge Arts Center.
$30M
historic preservation project
300
seat flexible performance venue
2027
Scheduled to open fall 2027
$30 million Bellforge Arts Center breaks ground in Medfield
On Monday, Bellforge Arts Center in Medfield broke ground, marking the beginning of a $30 million project to convert portions of the former Medfield State Hospital into a multipurpose arts and education campus.
Bellforge Arts Center
What's being built
A $30 million historic preservation project on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital. Designed by DBVW Architects, built by Delphi Construction, and shaped by programming, partnership, and community support.
18,000
sq. ft. renovation of the Chapel into the performance venue
8,000
sq. ft. renovation of the Infirmary into practice rooms and classrooms
5,200
sq. ft. glass connector and lobby linking both buildings
Performance Venue
Flexible, Multi-use Concert Hall
- 300-seat venue for music, theatre and dance
- Lectures, film screenings and poetry readings
- Community and business meeting space
- Ensemble rehearsal space
- Wedding and special event venue
- Indoor art exhibits
- Catering kitchen
- Upstairs staff/office space
Learning Facilities
Rehearsal Space & Classroom
- 17 classrooms on 3 floors
- Studios for private lessons
- Ensemble and band space
- Studios for hands-on art classes
- Larger rooms for rehearsal and dance space
- Residencies and master classes
- Daytime use for adults/seniors
- After school youth programs
- Summer creative arts camps
Open Space
Outdoor Stage & Community Activity
- Outdoor stage for performances
- Arts festivals
- Craft fairs
- Farmers markets
- Outdoor movies and exhibits
- Lawn concerts
- Theatre under the stars
- Community programming and events
Plus site improvements including utilities, outdoor learning spaces, and parking. When construction is complete in 2027, the buildings will become a year-round home for music, learning, gathering, and creative work for Greater Boston and the region.
Renderings
What the campus will look like
Architectural renderings by DBVW Architects. Everything that makes the buildings recognizable today — the brick, the slate, the bell tower that has stood here since 1896 — stays.
Designed and built by
Building Bellforge
Support the campaign
Construction has begun because the community said yes — early, generously, and on faith. We’re 82% of the way there, and the final stretch is where every gift counts most.
Capital Campaign Goal: $25M
$20.7M
$4.3M to go
More than 1,000 Massachusetts households have already given. Several foundations and local and regional businesses have joined them. The final phase is what carries the project across the finish line — finishing the buildings, opening the doors, and making sure Bellforge is ready to serve the community from day one.
Make a gift
The final phase is underway, and every gift moves it forward. Contribute any amount online or by mail — your name joins the campaign that’s bringing Bellforge to life.
Naming & leadership
Leave your mark on Bellforge. Naming opportunities across the Chapel, the Infirmary, and the new connector are still available — speak with our development team about the spaces that remain.
Business partnership
Anchor your business in the region’s next great arts destination. Through sponsorships, naming, and event partnerships, local and regional companies become part of Bellforge permanently.
Frequently Asked
Questions we've been hearing
If you have a question we haven’t answered here, we’d like to hear it.
Construction officially began on June 1, 2026. Renovation of the Chapel and Infirmary is expected to be completed in fall 2027.
Every gift moves the final phase forward. Contributions of any size are welcome, online or by mail, and naming opportunities remain available across the Chapel, the Infirmary, and the new connector. To discuss a leadership gift or naming opportunity, speak with our development team.
The historic Lee Chapel and the adjacent Infirmary. The Chapel will keep its open vaulted form, transformed into a flexible 300-seat performance venue, with a north-side addition for green rooms and backstage needs. A new glass connector will link the two buildings, with a new main entrance, accessible bathrooms, gallery space, and a catering kitchen. The three-story Infirmary will house practice rooms and classrooms for music, education, and rehearsal.
Through generous donor support, Bellforge has raised enough to begin the historic preservation of two original campus buildings. The Chapel is ideally suited to become a performance venue, and the adjacent Infirmary will house education spaces — supporting everyone from beginners picking up an instrument to artists launching careers in the performing arts.
Yes. With new hours: weekdays 4pm to sunset, weekends sunrise to sunset. The trails and fields stay accessible from the same entry points you use today. The active work zone around the Chapel and Infirmary is fenced for safety — please stay outside the fence line.
Yes. The full 2026 outdoor season is scheduled, and programming continues on the campus grounds. See the full schedule here.
Yes. Dogs must be leashed in the core campus and at all Bellforge events — leashes keep pets safe around construction equipment and keep events comfortable for everyone. Off-leash use is permitted in the front and back fields. Please clean up after your pet.
Most work happens inside the buildings. Some exterior work — roof repair and masonry repointing — will be visible and audible. Outdoor work is limited to daytime hours, Monday through Friday.
Our general contractor, Delphi Construction, monitors air quality hourly during active work. A 6,000-gallon water tank has been installed on site as a precaution. The active work zone is fenced. If you see a safety concern on the campus, please contact Medfield Police or Fire as appropriate.
Partnerships range from sponsorships and naming opportunities to event support, in-kind contributions, and long-term collaborations. Business partners gain visibility and play a meaningful role in shaping a regional cultural resource. To discuss partnerships, speak with our development team.
Press & Resources
For media, partners, and the curious
Press release
“Bellforge Arts Center Breaks Ground on $30M Cultural Campus in Medfield.” Full release with quotes, project details, and partner information.
Media kit
High-resolution renderings, site plans, photography, and supporting materials available for download.