Take 5 with Dr. Linda Booth Sweeney on "Tapped In"

The inspiration for TAPPED IN is deeply personal for me.  With the news filled with the impacts of climate change - extreme weather events, melting ice caps and so much more - I felt like a woman with my hair on fire.  I had to ask myself, "What can I do? How can I engage? How can I meet this moment?" As a long-time art student at The Umbrella Arts Center,  I wondered how I could move people to climate action through art?  That's when I turned to the metaphor of the bathtub., Initially framed by MIT professor John Sterman, the bathtub explains in simple language the complex relationship between human activities, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming....

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Learn More About The Exhibit & Related Events

Youth-Forward Climate Action Day

On April 20th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, The Umbrella woill host a youth-forward afternoon dedicated to reducing textile waste, encouraging creative repair, and celebrating upcycled and sustainably-produced design and community spirit!

In association with the Cooler Concord Festival, Umbrella visitors will have an opportunity to learn the art of mending, make toys out of recovered fabrics, take Youth-led art installation tours, try some delicious Beyond Meat foods, experience Casey Figueroa’s Heartbeat Space video installation, and become inspired by eco-conscious fashion designs and discover how the "slow fashion" movement is challenging an industry that is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second-largest consumer of the world's water supply.

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The Full Monty in Rehearsal

The Umbrella staff was excited to join the cast and crew of The Full Monty in the Black Box theater to hear from director Leigh Barrett about her vision for the show.

Having the full staff greet the cast and production team on the first day of rehearsal is a new initiative this season to make our artists feel connected and supported. On our staff side, it's been great to get an advance look at some concepts and design ideas for the shows!

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Gala 2024 Recap and Selects

On Saturday, April 6, The Umbrella Arts Center welcomed more than 260 attendees to an electrifying celebration of the arts - Artbeat. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donating artists, supporters, and friends it was the most successful Auction and in-person Gala in The Umbrella's history, raising critical funds for the arts in our region.

Highlights of the evening included performances by Berklee and Salt Lick Incubator artist Farayi Malek and global drumming corps Grooversity, and the presentation of the Elizabeth Cochary Gross Stewardship of the Arts award to Roger Brown.