James Lane Post presents the “East End Community Spotlight” series, highlighting non-profit organizations doing work on the East End. To submit a non-profit organization to be featured in this series, email info@jameslanepost.com.
Guild Hall in East Hampton was founded in 1931 and serves as a museum, performing arts center, and education center for the East End community, hosting 60,000 visitors annually. We asked the team at Guild Hall to share more about the organization.
Tell us about Guild Hall.
Guild Hall, founded in 1931, is one of the first multidisciplinary centers in the country to combine a museum, theater, and education space under one roof. It presents more than 200 programs and hosts 60,000 visitors each year. The museum mounts exhibitions from historical to contemporary and focuses on artists affiliated with the Hamptons. The newly renovated John Drew Theater, which will reopen in July 2024, presents concerts, dance, film screenings, theater, readings, simulcasts, and more. In addition to these endeavors, Guild Hall supports the next generation of artists with in-school and on-site Learning + New Works programs. The Artist-in-Residence program hosts a range of local and international artists who receive the time and space to research, experiment, and develop new ideas and projects. Guild Hall is a safe space for self-expression where one can see inspiring works of art in the museum and theater, experience workshops and engaging discussions, and find a sense of community.
Could you talk about the importance of this work on the East End?
Guild Hall has been an anchor of Main Street, East Hampton, for nearly a century. It was established in 1931 as a gathering place for the community where an appreciation for the arts would encourage greater civic participation. Guild Hall has continued to embrace this open-minded vision and provide a welcoming environment for the public to engage with art exhibitions, performances, and educational offerings. Art and artists have long been the engine of Guild Hall’s activities and the institution continues to find innovative ways to support creativity in everyone. As one of the oldest multidisciplinary centers in the U.S., the institution is a well-known cultural resource and attraction for residents and visitors.
How can the East End community get involved?
There are many ways for people from all walks of life to get involved at Guild Hall. Visit our galleries and take in one of the exhibitions on display; museum admission is always free. There are programs for everyone, whether it be a family tour and workshop, a Creative Lab that invites participants to learn about an artist’s practice through an open lecture and a participatory workshop, or a dance, comedy, or musical performance in our newly renovated John Drew Theater opening July 2024.
Additionally, individuals can apply to play a greater role at Guild Hall. Guild Hall has a thriving Teen Arts Council – the region’s first paid teen art program. As employees of Guild Hall, GHTAC members work to curate public programming, advance their creativity, increase Guild Hall’s outreach to local teens, and learn through collaboration with Guild Hall staff. We also have a Community Artist-in-Residence (CAIR) program that supports the creative economy, imagination, and civic life on the East End by commissioning regionally based artists to develop socially engaged or participatory work. Artists are provided with creative mentorships, administrative support, a commissioning fee, and a shared studio/work space on the Guild Hall campus. We invite everyone to experience the endless possibilities of the arts: to open minds to what art can be, inspire creativity and conversation, and have fun.
To learn more about Guild Hall, visit guildhall.org.