This Holiday, Gift the Power of Creativity

Edward Hopper once wrote, “If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” The same goes for dance, sculpture, music, and all the other creative forms of expression that capture and transmit the ineffable, steady the mind and heart of the maker, and potentially even inspire individuals and the world. Statistics supporting the myriad benefits of artistic processes to body, mind and spirit are well documented. Therefore, as the world’s complexities, anxieties, and distractions grow ever stronger, the transformative, healing power of creativity is an undeniable and urgent balm.

Luckily, the Hudson Valley is rich with organizations dedicated to fostering the alchemy of creativity along with hope, as well as artistic outlets and spaces for learning, thriving oases where creatives can come together to amplify and share work. Many in our robust list below also offer residences and grants to artists, which can be essential. For these to thrive, they rely on the steady and generous support of the community through class enrollment, attendance to performances and exhibits, purchases of art and other handmade items, volunteerism, donations and sponsorship.

The truth is, most of us don’t need more stuff. While many publications offer gift guides, our real passions at INSIDE+OUT lie in fueling a sense of collective upliftment without the too-common deleterious impact to the earth of most commercially made items. But fret not, shopping enthusiasts, we will also offer up our sought-after Shop Local holiday gift guides to celebrate the fabulous and handmade bounty of the valley.

POWERFUL FACT:

The National Endowment for the Arts’ FY 2022 appropriation of $180 million constituted about .003 percent of the federal budget. Approximately 80 percent of the appropriation is distributed as grants and awards to organizations and individuals across the country.

Hudson Valley Nonprofit Arts Organizations We Love

When deliberating over what to give your loved ones this holiday season, we hope you consider gifts that honor one or many of the wonderful non-profit organizations listed below. Please consider even a small tax-deductible donation in your friend’s or family member’s name, thereby contributing to and perpetuating these beautiful outlets that uplift and fortify our communities. All of these organizations also welcome volunteers! Your generosity and support have a profound impact all around

ART EAST | Amenia NY | @arteastopenstudio
A dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the region’s artistic community. Offering curated exhibitions, creative workshops, and cultural events, ART EAST showcases diverse local talent while promoting collaboration and dialogue among artists and the public.

ART OMI | Ghent NY | @art_omi
Considered a “best art day trip” by TimeOut NY, the 120-acre sculpture and architecture park Art Omi features more than 60 large-scale works “in nature,” as well as additional contemporary art displayed in a 1,500-square-foot gallery. “Guided by the principle that artistic expression transcends economic, political, and cultural boundaries,” Art Omi also provides a variety of educational opportunities for people of all ages, as well as residency programs for international artists, writers, translators, musicians, architects and dancers.

ART PORT | Kingston NY | @artportkingston
An internationally-focused contemporary art gallery showcasing innovative works by emerging and established artists, it also offers maker’s markets, residencies, and more. With a focus on experimental and thought-provoking exhibitions, ART PORT provides a dynamic platform for artistic exploration and dialogue for makers and guests alike, contributing to the region’s vibrant cultural landscape.

ARTS MID HUDSON | Poughkeepsie NY | @artsmidhudson
Arts Mid-Hudson is a regional arts organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts throughout the Hudson Valley. By providing grants, resources, awards, art walks, maker’s markets, and advocacy, it strengthens local artists and cultural organizations, fostering a vibrant creative community and enriching the cultural fabric of the region.

ARTS SOCIETY OF KINGSON | Kingston NY | @askforarts
Better known as ASK, the Arts Society of Kingston serves as an umbrella organization for the city’s arts education and performances. Founded by local artists in 1985, ASK hosts plays, musicals, dance, acoustic open mics, music and poetry readings in its 99-seat performance space; curates the ASK Presents performing art series; and serves more than 300 artist members, providing opportunities to promote their work through group and solo exhibitions in its two galleries. Donate | Learn more.

ATHENS CULTURAL CENTER | Athens NY | @athensculturalcenter
The Athens Cultural Center (ACC) is a vibrant community hub dedicated to promoting the arts and fostering cultural enrichment. Through a diverse range of programs, including art exhibitions, performances, workshops, and educational events, ACC provides a platform for local and regional artists while engaging audiences of all ages.

BASILICA HUDSON | Hudson NY | @basilicahudson
Dedicated to supporting independent artists and the local culture and environment, Basilica Hudson welcomes more than 20,000 visitors each year to its reclaimed, solar-powered 1880s industrial factory. Part of the Hudson Arts Coalition, the nonprofit multidisciplinary arts center hosts genre-bending music festivals, film screenings, art installations, marketplace events, and other community gatherings—mostly for free—and also offers an artist-in-residence program.

BEACON ARTS | Beacon NY | @beaconarts
Initiating public community programs and events since 2002, Beacon Arts is a dynamic arts organization in Beacon, NY, dedicated to fostering creativity and cultural engagement. Through curated exhibitions, public art initiatives, free community events (like The Artists’ Potluck) and other community-driven projects, Beacon Arts enriches the local arts scene, supporting both established and emerging artists while connecting the community to the power of artistic expression.

WOODSTOCK BYRDCLIFFE GUILD | Woodstock NY | @woodstock_byrdcliffe_guild
The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild is a 250-acre mountainside arts and performance center in Woodstock, NY. Founded in 1902, Byrdcliffe hosts top notch exhibitions and performances, art classes and workshops, artist symposiums, and artist residencies. Guided tours are offered all summer; gallery hours and performance and class information is available on the website.

CENTER FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AT WOODSTOCK (CPW) | Kingston NY | @cpw_kingston
“With an emphasis on championing the voices of emerging artists and bringing forward new concepts through curated exhibitions,” the Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) has provided vital services to visual artists and their audiences for more than four decades. CPW offers access to a variety of professional resources, including traditional and digital workspaces, a library of more than 2,000 contemporary prints, video works, audiotapes and slides, and lectures and workshops from acclaimed instructors on topics covering the entire spectrum of photographic practice. The gallery is open to the public on Saturdays from 12 to 4 PM and by appointment.

CREATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS | Catskill NY | @create.council
CREATE is the Catskill-based Council for Resources to Enrich the Arts, Technology & Education. It is dedicated to supporting and advancing the arts and culture of the local community by offering creative resources and fostering economic growth across Greene County. CREATE’s services include art exhibitions, multiple arts grants, online workshops, and youth arts programs. In 2021, CREATE also launched its Flash Film Fest, which will be returning in 2022.

FALLKILL CREATIVE WORKS | Poughkeepsie NY | @fallkillcreativeworks
Fallkill Creative Works is a collaborative arts space in Poughkeepsie, NY, dedicated to supporting local artists and makers through workshops, exhibitions, and community events. Adult, family and youth classes are offered with a focus on art, pottery, basket weaving, seasonal craft classes (wreath and ornament making are upcoming) and much more.

HOWLAND CULTURAL CENTER | Beacon NY | @howland_cultural_center
The Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, NY, is a historic venue that hosts a wide range of cultural events, from art exhibitions and concerts to theater performances and community programs. Established in 1979 as a hub for art, culture, and history in the historic 1872 Richard Morris Hunt building, the building was the first in the City of Beacon to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An intimate setting with great acoustics and a commitment to local talent, the center serves as a vibrant hub for arts and culture in the Hudson Valley.

HUDSON HALL | Hudson NY | @hudsonhallny
Headquartered in an historic landmarked building with New York’s oldest theater, Hudson Hall employs more than 400 artists, skilled laborers and local youth and hosts live performances, art exhibitions, citywide festivals, free community events and workshops for an audience of 50,000. In 2020, Hudson Hall launched its Shared Streets initiative to help local businesses safely reopen and stay economically viable; provided PPE at cost to community partners and businesses throughout Columbia County; and launched a summer workforce development program for local teens and young adults.

HUDSON RIVER VALLEY ART WORKSHOPS | Greenville NY | @hudsonriverart
Since 1982, Hudson River Valley Art Workshops (HRVAW) has been welcoming artists and instructors from around the world to the historic Greenville Arms 1889 Inn to learn, create, and relax! Hudson River Valley Art Workshops offer intimate, immersive art experiences. With expert-led classes in painting, drawing, art quilt, drawing, fiber arts, and more in a bucolic and homey setting, providing artists of all levels the opportunity to refine their craft while enjoying the natural beauty and creative inspiration of the Hudson Valley. On-site meals provided!

HUDSON VALLEY INTERARTS | Patterson NY | @hudsonvalleyinterarts
Hudson Valley InterArts is a dynamic and diverse arts organization that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural exchange. Through innovative programs, performances, and community events, it brings together creatives from diverse fields and skill levels and the region’s vibrant arts community as teachers and space holders to offer a model of inclusion, support, and healing.

JANE ST. ART CENTER | Saugerties NY | @janestreetartcenter
A dynamic arts hub that cultivates creativity through gallery exhibitions, artist residencies, and community-focused events. The center provides a platform for contemporary art, with an emphasis on innovative, interdisciplinary work, while fostering a collaborative environment that connects artists and the local community.

KAATSBAAN CULTURAL PARK | Tivoli NY | @kaatsbaan
Kaatsbaan Cultural Park is a premier arts and cultural center, offering a unique space for dance, music, and interdisciplinary arts. With world-class residencies, performances, and community outreach programs, Kaatsbaan provides an inspiring environment for dancers, musicians, and artists of all genres to create and collaborate. The property is also available for private events, shoots and more.

KINGSTON MIDTOWN ARTS DISTRICT (MAD) | Kingston NY | @mkadkingston
The Kingston Midtown Arts District, also known as MAD, is a coalition of artists and residents, businesses and nonprofits, and the City of Kingston, serving the midtown area. The District’s mission is to “create, unite, and enrich a vibrant, inclusive community by leading through the arts” — and it does, providing arts education and training programs, securing grant funding for teaching artists and performers, promoting monthly gallery openings, facilitating gallery pop-ups, providing art sale opportunities, and advocating for government funding for the arts. MAD’s most famous collaboration, the annual Celebration of the Arts EXPO, features free lectures and workshops led by dozens of visual and performing artists.

O+ FESTIVAL | Kingston NY | @opositivefest
Founded about a decade ago in Kingston, NY, and featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Oprah Magazine and NYLON, O+ is now a national nonprofit connecting creatives and health and wellness providers in cities across the country. Each year, the organization’s efforts culminate in festival celebrations that showcase underinsured artists and musicians creating and performing in exchange for services from care providers.

OLANA | Hudson NY | @olanafredericchurch
A National Historic Landmark within the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, Olana is one of the most widely recognized artist homes/studios in the world. Once the center of family life for the painter, architect, landscaper and New York City cultural influencer Frederic Church and his family, the massive Middle East-inspired main house and its surrounding grounds are now open to the public. The Olana Partnership preserves the site and also offers a variety of educationally themed indoor and outdoor tours, exhibitions, events and seasonal celebrations.

OMEGA INSTITUTE | Rhinebeck NY | @omegainstitute
A leading nonprofit educational retreat center focused on personal growth, wellness, and social change, this beautiful nexus offers workshops, retreats, and conferences led by renowned international and local teachers. Omega provides a transformative space for individuals to explore mindfulness, creativity, health, and sustainability, fostering a deeper connection to themselves, others, and the world.

OPUS 40 | Saugerties NY | @officialopus40
“One of the largest and most beguiling works of art on the entire continent” (Architectural Digest), Opus 40 is a walkable sculptural wonderland and museum with 50 acres of picnic space, forested paths and bluestone quarries in the heart of the Hudson Valley. The world-famous site plays host to festivals, concerts, theatrical performances, nature walks, adult ed workshops and school and camp field trips, and is also open to the public on weekends throughout the year. The entry fee is $12 for adults; $9 for seniors, students and veterans; and free for children under four.

REDWING BLACKBIRD THEATER | Rosendale NY | @redwing.blackbird.theater
An intimate and unique performance venue, puppet theater, and puppet museum dedicated to showcasing a diverse array of live theater, music, and impactful events. With an emphasis on raising awareness about environmental issues and community, the theater is known for its creative programming and inclusive atmosphere. It offers emerging and established artists a platform to connect with local audiences through creativity, play, inclusivity, protest, and citizen-driven action.

ROSENDALE THEATRE | Rosendale NY | @rosendaletheatre
A former casino and burlesque and vaudeville playhouse, Rosendale Theatre continues to serve the local community, now focused on “the power of film and live performance to entertain, educate and inspire connection.” The historic three-story, 260-seat digital theater screens independent and mainstream Hollywood, foreign, documentary and local productions, and hosts post-screening discussions and special events.

SAMUEL DORSKY MUSEUM OF ART | New Paltz NY | @dorskymuseum

Housed at SUNY New Paltz, the 9,000-square-foot Samuel Dorskey Museum of Art features rotating exhibits from its multiple collections along with temporary loan exhibitions showcasing the careers of under-recognized regional artists and Hudson Valley “masters.” The Dorskey’s 5,000 works of art include important holdings in Asian art, historic and contemporary photographs, and metalwork. For the public, the Museum hosts family days as well as group visits and tours. Donate | Learn more.

STISSING CENTER FOR ARTS + CULTURE | Pine Plains NY | @thestissingcenter
The Stissing Center for Arts + Culture is a vibrant community hub dedicated to celebrating the arts and cultural expression. Housed in a historic former school building, it hosts a diverse range of performances, art exhibitions, and educational programs, offering a welcoming space for creativity, collaboration, diversity, and cultural enrichment in the Hudson Valley.

THE ART EFFECT | Poughkeepsie NY | @feelthearteffect

An inspiring creative hub that empowers youth through art, media and collaboration. Offering innovative year-long programs including camp with a focus on visual arts, film, and design, it fosters artistic growth, leadership, and community engagement, helping young people discover their voice and potential through creative expression.

THE ASHOKAN CENTER | Olivebridge NY | @ashokancenter

The Ashokan Center is a music and nature center on 385 acres of forest and meadow nestled in the Catskill Mountains, replete with lodges, cabins and private rooms, a pavilion, and camping areas. A favorite venue for weddings and corporate retreats, the Center also hosts public community events like arts and cultural festivals, music and dance camps, and educational field trips. Day passes for hiking and outdoor recreation are available when events and school programs are not in session; you can also schedule a private tour.

THE HUDSON VALLEY POCANTICO CENTER | Tarrytown NY | @pocanticocenter

Conferences, residencies, grants, public arts and culture events, historic tours, education and community outreach, The Pocantico Center, part of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, is a historic site dedicated to advancing cultural, social and environmental change. Offering a serene, inspiring environment for leaders and organizations, it hosts meetings, events, creative workshops, and programs that promote dialogue, collaboration, and innovative solutions to global challenges. The center is set within the stunning landscape of the Rockefeller estate, blending history, nature, and purposeful engagement.

UNISON ARTS | New Paltz NY | @unison_arts
Unison comprises two art galleries in New Paltz, NY, where the nonprofit arts organization hosts art exhibitions as well as performances. Committed to enriching the lives of local community members through the arts, Unison also offers affordable classes in painting, drawing, photography and movement for all ages, as well as members-only workshops.

WILD ARTS COLLECTIVE | New Paltz NY | @wearewildarts

Wild Arts Collective, located in New Paltz, NY, is a collaborative arts space dedicated to nurturing creativity and community engagement. Trapeze and circus arts, dance, mask making, festivals, workshops, exhibitions, and events in a variety of other artistic disciplines, it provides a platform for local artists to share their work, connect with others, and inspire cultural dialogue in the Hudson Valley. The gorgeous, expansive property can also be rented for events.

WILD HEART | Wallkill NY | @wildheart_center_art

Wild Heart Wallkill is a creative sanctuary that blends dance, art, music and song, improv, theatrical productions, nature, and community, all within a peaceful, inspiring setting. Offering transformational immersive art experiences, workshops, residences, and thought-provoking, often earth-focused events, it provides a nurturing, inclusive, and diverse environment for artists and visitors to explore creativity, mindfulness, and connection to the natural world.

WOMEN’S STUDIO WORKSHOP | Rosendale NY | @wsworkshop
A non-profit arts organization dedicated to supporting women artists through studio space, residencies, and professional development. WSW fosters creative growth and provides a collaborative environment for artists to develop their work and engage with the community. Offering workshops and studio time in ceramics, paper making, exhibitions, and a unique printmaking program, WSW supports all women and trans, intersex, nonbinary and genderfluid people in residencies and internships. Classes, studio rentals, and public events are open to all.

WOODSTOCK ARTISTS ASSOCIATION & MUSEUM (WAAM) | Woodstock NY | @waamart
Since 1919, the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) has served as a cultural hub for the ‘Colony of the Arts,’ dedicated to supporting artists and art education. Located in the center of the village of Woodstock, NY, WAAM presents group and solo exhibits of contemporary and historical regional artists across five galleries, as well as hosts interactive educational programs, special exhibitions and community engagement projects for the youth and their families. WAAM is open Thursday through Sunday, from 12 to 5 PM.

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL | Woodstock NY | @woodstockfilmfestival

One of the top regional film festivals in the world, attended by Hollywood elite, the Woodstock Film Festival is best known for its annual festival showcasing the works of emerging and established filmmakers. Throughout the year, the nonprofit organization also provides year-round programming to promote culture and diversity in the local community, offering guest lectures and panels, as well as a filmmakers residency, screenwriting seminar, online masterclass seminar and summer youth film lab.

WOODSTOCK SCHOOL OF ART | Woodstock NY | @_woodstockschoolofart
The Woodstock School of Art is dedicated to offering high-quality and affordable fine art instruction and engaging the community in arts activities and exhibitions. Established in 1968, the School now supports the growth of more than 800 artists from around the world, offering daily classes in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, as well as workshops in specialized techniques with experts.

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“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner—continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you—is a fine art, in and of itself.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Purchasing tickets to original shows and performances, creative classes and workshops, buying original art, volunteering, and donations are all important ways to help keep our incredible towns exciting, diverse, and inspiring.

Thank you, friends, for supporting this vibrant tapestry of art organizations in any and all ways that you are and can! Your contributions and support make a real difference, both to artists and our communities.

Thank you artists, for helping to make this valley thrive!

Thank you to all of the organizations listed for all you do!

May you have an inspiring holiday and abundant 2025 from all of us at INSIDE+OUT!