About

Founded in March of 2005, Northville Art House Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit art facility where over 20,000 artists and community patrons come together annually to gain exposure and appreciation for the visual arts, experiment and learn art techniques, and unleash their imagination and self-expression in exciting ways!

THE SCOUT BUILDING

The building at 215 W. Cady Street is designed in the Colonial Revival style similar to the nearby U.S. Post Office and City Hall. Owned by the city, the structure was erected in 1963 to house the Northville Boy and Girl Scouts. The Scout Building eventually became an early childhood school, then a senior center before housing the community-based Northville Art House.

MISSION

The Northville Art House mission is to cultivate the Arts through creative experiences and educational programs in the community.

CREATIVE EXPERIENCES

Experiences include exhibitions, the artisan store and various interactive art events. Juried, invitational and open call exhibitions enhance awareness of fine art and artists through individual and community collaborations in the Exhibition Gallery, on the Emerging Artist Wall and in local neighborhood venues. These monthly exhibitions as well as consigned artwork in the Artisan Store feature established, emerging and student artist using a variety of mediums and styles. The organization  hosts a number of events including the Young Artists Art Fair, Painting with Paws, and If Stones Could Talk Oakwood Cemetery Living History Tours. Gallery talks, book clubs, and other creative activities are held at various times throughout the year.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Education Programs include in-house classes, after-school instruction, and community outreach. Classes, workshops and summer camps offer individuals of all ages (3+) and levels the opportunity to experiment, learn, and develop art skills. Visual art instruction is the primary focus and covers painting, drawing, printmaking, hand-sculpture, photography, graphic design, crafts, and creative mixed-media projects.  Programs are scheduled in quarterly sessions and may not include each art form.

Art education in the schools is important and the Art House has partnered with Northville Public Schools PTA to provide on-site instruction through the Young Artists After-School Art Program. For every student that participates the Art House also gives $3 back to the PTA. The Art House also provides community outreach through participation in local Northville and Metro Detroit events and collaboration with other local nonprofit organizations.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

The Northville Art House is a gathering place where artists and the community come together to learn, share ideas, and understand different points of view. The programs and events improve social well-being, enrich local amenities, and attract people to the area to increase business and economic development. The creative experiences annually attract more than 2o,000 visitors, present about 2500 works of art, and promote 400 artists from the U.S. and around the world. The Educational programs reach more than 650 children, teens and adults in over 200 class and community settings include hundreds more through community partnerships. In addition to the after-school instruction, the Art House annually contributes approximately $1500 to the local PTA and award a $300 art scholarship to a Northville High School senior.

SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION

The organization is very appreciative to the city of Northville for the use of the building, yet relies on community support to maintain the building, sustain the organization, and fulfill its mission. The Art House ask the corporations, businesses and the public to support the mission by becoming members, students, collectors, volunteers, donors, and sponsors.

The passion and hard work of volunteers and generous community support over many years have created an incredible cultural destination in our small town. The Detroit Metro Conventions and Visitors Bureau stated that “This funky little house in downtown Northville is making a big impact on the region’s art scene!”

Be a pART of it! Donate or Become a Member Today!

Be a pART of it! is our invitation to you to join the Northville Art House Board of Directors and Staff in its promise to cultivate the Arts in the community.