Who We Are

seARTS includes individual artists -- painters, sculptors, photographers, graphic artists, performance artists, creative writers, architects, craftsmen, musicians, dancers, actors, directors, film makers -- and individuals and organizations that support the arts. Through association with seARTS, members build community and economic ties to strengthen the cultural economy of Gloucester and Cape Ann. seARTS works with City agencies, businesses, art lovers, and other arts and cultural groups. Founding members of seARTS include the following Cape Ann organizations:

• Cape Ann Symphony
• Gloucester Stage Company
• North Shore Arts Association
• Dancers Courageous
• Montserrat College of Art
• Rocky Neck Art Colony
• Artspace
• ArtsGloucester
• Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center
• Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
• City of Gloucester
• Gloucester Community Development Corp.

Our Mission

The Society for the Encouragement of the Arts (seARTS) aspires to re-establish Cape Ann as a world-class center for working artists—in balance with the unique character of Cape Ann as a maritime community.

seARTS is an incorporated non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, comprised of and operated by its membership. Members include artists in all disciplines, as well as cultural institutions, municipal partners, businesses and individuals that support the arts. As a coalition, seARTS works to galvanize multiple constituencies to advocate for and improve the economic base for the arts on Cape Ann by:

• Linking artists and art organizations to each other, and to patrons, sponsors and tourists
• Marketing Cape Ann’s thriving arts community and cultural programs
• Developing and implementing innovative programs and events to broaden awareness of, and access to, the arts on Cape Ann
• Through association with seARTS, organizational and individual members build beneficial community and economic ties that strengthen the cultural economy of Cape Ann.

What We Do

As a community organization, seARTS facilitates member participation in public events consistent with their talents and community needs. seARTS members work to promote and improve the economy for the arts on Cape Ann by:

• Researching and applying for grants
• Helping to form and support partnership programs between artists and businesses
• Providing space and helping to create exhibitions
• Sponsoring monthly Artists on Artists lectures
• Conducting community outreach meetings
• Gathering and sharing data and operational strategies to improve marketing impact