Public Art

Artists painting a mural on the ground in an alley in downtown Northampton.

Public Art in Northampton

If you or your organization are interested in creating public art or have questions about your project, please email arts@northamptonma.gov, call (413) 587-1069, or apply here.

The procedure for determining whether your project should be issued a permit from the Arts Council starts by applying for permission using the Google form. Your project will be added to the Arts Council's next monthly meeting agenda. Meetings occur every second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted. The Arts Council will then vote on whether your project would be considered Public Art. If your project falls under Public Art, the Director of Arts and Culture will help direct your project.

Please refer to City of Northampton Arts Ordinance - 285-9.

Permits to Play Music, Perform, and Sell Art in Downtown Northampton

For permission to play music, perform, or sell art in downtown Northampton, please download this form here and bring it to the Department of Public Works 125 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Please bring valid identification. Permits cost $25, expire on December 31, and take up to 10 days to process. 

Pulaski Park, Northampton

Are you interested in using Pulaski Park in downtown Northampton for an event or gathering?

  • The city does not give permission to host events in Pulaski Park because we don't reserve or permit park use, except for City-sponsored events.

  • Sound can not be amplified.

  • The park needs to be open to the public at all times.

  • City-sponsored events are scheduled throughout the year and are done with the maintenance of the park, weather, and the health of the turf in mind, as well as in coordination with events at the Academy of Music.

  • Small areas of the park are used for such things as Fitness in the Park and tai chi classes, but all of these things are done with the expectation that there may be others in the space upon arrival and people can not be kicked out of the space as it is a public area.

  • Admission, invitation-only or requiring a ticket is strictly prohibited.

  • Sidewalks or walkways can not be blocked.

  • Tents cannot be erected or staked into the ground (including tables, chairs, signs... anything with legs that could pierce the surface), and items can not be rented and dropped off at the park as it is not an event venue.

  • Like most parks, anything carried in must be carried out, i.e., trash, as any overflowing trash will attract animals to the area.

  • Pulaski Park is our beautiful downtown park open to the public for all to enjoy. Please respect the rules and help keep it in the condition you found it.

  • Consistently, since the park reopened after renovations, the city has yet to issue permits for any non-city-sponsored events in the park. Other areas do provide space for events, i.e. Veterans' Field. If you want more information, email our Parks & Rec department at recreation@northamptonma.gov.

  • For a schedule of City-sponsored events, please visit: https://paradisedistrict.org/ or http://northamptonma.gov