ARTPARK is a park and a cultural institution located on the Niagara Gorge, USA. Established in 1974, Artpark is a collaboration between the New York State Parks and the cultural nonprofit institution Artpark & Company.

Artpark is currently programmed and managed by an independent nonprofit Artpark & Co. and is widely regarded as a summer outdoor music venue ranked one of the top 100 Amphitheaters Worldwide by Pollstar.  Artpark delivers 150+ events attended by 150,000+  visitors, on 150+ acres of land over 110 days of summer.  Ninety of these events are community & family programs delivered to over 50,000+ people at low or no cost.   Artpark & Co. programming delivers $13-Mil in estimated annual economic impact on the community.

Artpark Administration
716-754-9000

Artpark Box Office
716-754-4375

Artpark’s Unique Foundation – An Introduction

Artpark is a one-of-a-kind cultural center in the 20th century evolution of public spaces for the live and visual arts. A constantly evolving history and culture is central to the land that has become known as the Niagara Frontier, where significant portions are held in civic trust, including the 150 acres that in 1974 were dedicated as the Earl W. Brydges Artpark, named after the state senator (1949 -1972) from the Niagara region, an advocate for the arts.

The Earl W. Brydges Artpark in Lewiston New York, was established in 1970* to afford the People of the State of New York the opportunity to view, enjoy and/or participate in live theatrical performances, musical concerts, dance, and the creation of artwork in the classical as well as contemporary genre, in a family-oriented State Park.

Artpark & Company is solely organized for the purpose of providing financial, management, operating and programmatic support to the 150-acre Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park. Since 1997, Artpark & Company has operated and continues to manage Artpark with an exclusive license granted by New York State Parks.

Situated on the traditional Indigenous lands of many nations over millennia, and specifically of the Haudenosaunee who live in Western New York, Artpark is committed to working with Indigenous people to create sustainable land-based programming in harmony and balance with the Natural World.

*Originally incorporated as Niagara Frontier Performing Arts Center in 1970 and renamed to Artpark & Co. in 1976.

MISSION

Artpark & Company fosters a transformative world of artistic engagement that explores the human experience, cultivates creativity, and encourages curiosity. Our work is informed by a long tradition of discovery, an expectation of artistic excellence, and an awareness of the inspiration of singular natural splendor.

Located at the birthplace of Niagara Falls, and situated on traditional indigenous lands of many nations, Artpark & Company honors the historic legacy on which it was created, supporting the evolution of the arts and its role as a cultural leader, aspiring to a progressive future. We embrace a philosophy that Art, Culture, and Nature can harmoniously coexist and inspire. We advocate for every art, both known and not yet known, as created in public by diverse artists, often with assistance from their audience, attracted by the discovery, learning, and exploration that the arts encourage.

Each new visit to Artpark brings excitement, curiosity, and renewed perspectives.

Vision

We are an international destination for live and visual arts embracing the relationship of Art, Nature, and Culture to create experiences of discovery and awe.

Values

Creative Excellence – We provide experiential programming that reflects the passion and imagination of both our artists and team, having unique and enduring impacts on our visitors and audiences.

Community – We are a core contributor to the cultural and economic well-being of our region. As a gathering place with many offerings, we are committed to building a sense of community responding to all ages and demographics.

Stewardship - We acknowledge and respect the land on which we operate, situated on the traditional indigenous lands of many nations over millennia and specifically the Haudenosaunee who live in WNY. We are committed to working with Indigenous peoples to create sustainable land-based programming and working in harmony and balance with the Natural World.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - We manifest the highest standards and maintain the ethical standards of public benefit. We are committed to maintaining full access to programs of original and creative excellence, facilities, and grounds, ensuring both the principles and advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion, for our team members, volunteers, and artists.

Respect – We value all perspectives and opinions of our team, our partners at New York State, and our communities. We listen, lead, and respond together.

Constant Transformation - Our facilities and programming continuously reflect a diverse and ever-evolving group of performers, acts, artists as social issues of our time and of interest to our audiences change. We believe that art does not need to be permanent to be transformative.

Artistic Legacy

Originally owned and operated by New York State, Artpark opened in 1974 as an unprecedented experiment in artist-public interaction and site-specificity that balanced a populist mission with the commissioning of some of the most avant-garde, investigational art of its day.  Over its first decade (1974-1984) it commissioned hundreds of artists and collectives to realize new work during the summer months. At the end of the season it was either destroyed or owned by the artist.

It was the site of Adam Sonfist’s Pool of Virgin Earth, a 25-foot-diameter (7.6 m) clay basin for catching aerial seeds and projects by several women artists in the 1970s. It continued to be an important laboratory for outdoor sculpture, with over 200 artists and collectives creating art and installations between 1974 and 1984 including works by including Charles Simonds, Ant Farm, Dale Chihuly, Dennis Oppenheim, Michelle Stuart, Alice Adams and Agnes Denes and Nancy Holt to name just a few.

With State Funding cuts in the early 1990s and the restructuring of Artpark as a partnership between New York State Parks and the independent non-profit Artpark & Company, the residency program ceased to exist, giving way to outdoor music concerts and summer stock musical theatre from 2000-2015.

Laurie Anderson

 

Mary Miss
Suzanne Harris
Omega

 

Richard Miles
Ant Farm
Helene Valentin

Images from “ARTPARK 1974-1984” published by University at Buffalo Art Galleries, Princeton Architectural Press

As part of Artpark’s new long-term strategic thinking, the Artpark 2030 Vision Plan has been launched toward an ongoing transformation plan through design, technological advancement, economic sustainability and cultural leadership.

 

Music and Theater at Artpark

When Artpark opened in 1974 the stage of the main theater was among the largest in the entire State of New York and by far the best equipped in Western New York to produce fully staged theatrical productions.  As early as 1975, the first full year of operation, Music Theater began to play a prominent role at Artpark with the production of Man of La Mancha.  Over 10,000 people attended the five performances of this musical and the glorious history of musicals at Artpark was off and running.

Over the course of the next 40 years, 104 fully staged musicals would be produced and presented on the Artpark stage before audiences ranging from 10,000 to 40,000. Over the course of it 40 year history, over 2.5 million persons have attended musical theater performances at Artpark.

In 2018, Artpark undertook a fresh iniative that gave the spotlight to our Western New York community in a musical theatre production of  THE ODYSSEY by Todd Almond and Lear Debessonet.  This groundbreaking community collaboration involved over 200 participants including theatre professionals, volunteers and community organizations. Broadway stars joined community actors, students and volunteers. Supporters graciously donated food, rehearsal space and monetary contributions. Months of workshops, rehearsals and artistic collaboration came to a triumphant presentation at Artpark's Mainstage Theater on August 4 and 5, 2018.

In our 40 year’s history, some of the lead artists in the nation had performed at Artpark on both our stages – the outdoor Amphitheater (9,999 capacity) and indoor Mainstage Theater (4,000), including:

Alvin Ailey,  Baryshnikov, Bolshoi Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Opera, New York Philharmonic, Paul Taylor Dance, Twyla Tharp, Pilobolus, Martha Graham, Bale de Rua (Brazil), Lehrer Dance and many others at the Mainstage Theatre;

Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Sting, Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates, Billy Idol, Steven Tyler, Boy George & Culture Club, B-52s, Blondie, Melissa Etheridge, Chicago, Chick Corea, Flaming Lips, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jack White, Goo Goo Dolls, Joan Baez, Jeff Beck, Doobie Brothers, Chris Isaak, ZZ Top, Deep Purple, Wilco, Alabama Shakes, Garbage, Arctic Monkeys, Trombone Shorty, The Flaming Lips among innumerous others at the Amphitheater;

David Brubeck,  Ella Fitzgerald, Ethel Merman, Gladys Knight, Itzhak Perlman, Dizzy Gillespie, Van Cliburn, New York Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic in the jazz and classical concerts at the Mainstage theatre.

ARTPARK INITIATIVES IN PROGRESS: 2019 – 2023

Artpark Play Out Loud

World-class arts and entertainment made accessible to all.

Artpark Bridges: Connect Empower Create

Artpark artists empower the community with creative tools and collaborative engagement. 

Artpark Laboratory

Artists in residence investigate and challenge complex issues of sustainability, and make them tangible through public art.

Artpark Heritage

Artistic legacy is bridged with progressive future in the arts, culture and technologies.Artpar

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Artpark & Company Board of Directors is a volunteer assemblage comprised of community leaders, tourism officials and other esteemed Western New York businesspeople. These individuals are imperative in Artpark's planning process, budget development, sponsorship obtainment and event organization.

 

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Joanne Bauer - Chairperson
Christopher Leardini - Vice Chair
Stephen Turner - Treasurer

Vincent Agnello - Secretary

Directors
Allison Appoloney
Dena Armstrong
Jamie Bannister
Anthony Bannon
Don Boswell
Jason Brydges
John Camp
Joseph Certo
Jonathan A. Dandes
Francine DelMonte
Michael J. Dowd, Esq.
Lyn Dyster
Michael Hickey
Christopher E. Kay
Omar Khan
Skip Mazenauer
Michael McInerney
Mark Mistretta
Daniel Montante
Marcy Newman
Edward Perlman, Esq.
Pamela Priest
Duncan Smith
Michael Vitch
Jeffrey Williams
Max Willig

Advisory Council
Steve Broderick
Thomas Brydges, Esq. 
Daniel E. Cantara III
Terry Collesano
Thomas J. Fatta
Brian Geary 
Seymour H. Knox IV
Alison Lytle
Angelo J. Morinello
Hon. Robert G. Ortt
Sophia Slaysman
Richard Soluri
Anne Welch
Rebecca Wydysh

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF LISTING

Artpark Administration line: 716-754-9000

Leadership: 
Sofya (Sonia) Clark, President

Ext. 117, [email protected]

Dave Wedekindt, Vice President

Ext. 146, [email protected]


Click here to meet the rest of our team

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Event-related (audience) spending by the 148,000 partons who attended Artpark's 2022 programming generated an economic impact of  $11.1 million dollars.

 

The above economic impact results in the support of 271 full time equivalent jobs.

Artpark generates over $640,197 in revenues annually for local government.

Artpark generates over $773,544 in revenues annually for state government.

Artpark spends over $5.6 million in the local and regional area (community) for services, equipment, supplies and advertising.

* Data from Americans for the Arts 'Arts & Economic Prosperity IV': The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Industry (Calculator).