Exhibitions and consultations are free of charge. Consultations are by appointment only and may last close to an hour.

Performance/Presentation admission is always free at any location with NAP membership; generally others pay a small admission. Please phone the NAP locations for further event information, updates and consultation appointments. For general information call the NAP office at 610-683-6440 or email at napconn@aol.com.

What Makes the New Arts Program?

For thirty five years straight the New Arts Program has been bringing cutting-edge visual, performing and literary artists and critics to the Lehigh Valley, Berks County. Included in the Program are performances, dialogues, exhibitions, and most importantly, the consultations an avenue for rural artists and public to meet personally, one-to-one, with today’s most provocative and insightful artists from around the world.

This access to major talents, with the Program as a conduit, cultivates direct dialogue between artists and persons interested in the arts. Contemporary art performances and exhibitions are held in intimate, relaxed professional settings.

Consultations

During their two-day residency at a participating NAP venue, each scheduled artist is available by appointment for private one-to-one consultations with individuals from the community. The consultations are free and limited in number, so everyone who signs up is expected to come prepared with an agenda for their hour-long dialogue.

Presentation/Performance

On the first evening of each residency the artist gives a presentation, which could include works in progress, new works, videotapes, audiotapes and dialogues about their creative process with the audience. The content of these performance/presentations are at the discretion of each artist. The informality of the community space encourages discussion and questions. Performance production is kept to a low-tech minimum so there’s more time to better acquaint the audience and visiting artist with individual creative ideas and insights, it works both ways. Philip Glass said, “It is a nonacademic approach to a nonacademic subject, and it works!”

Exhibitions

Still a hidden gem to many, our NAP Exhibition Space has earned a reputation of excellence that is international. Eleven months out of the year you can come in and see first-rate work by contemporary artists from as far away as Europe and Asia. NAP Exhibition Space, which also houses NAP’s huge arts reference library of periodicals, slides and videos, is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania (near Route 78) at 173 West Main Street. No admission charge. Regular hours are 11am to 3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, additional hours are by appointment or by chance.

James Carroll, founder and director of the Program, schedules residencies based primarily on recommendations from the Board of Advisors and past participating artists. Carroll, a long-time artist with a far-reaching understanding of contemporary arts, also uses his own quest for artistic knowledge as a barometer. His involvement in the art world serves as an invaluable asset in obtaining talents of stature. Carroll personally directs each event, making sure NAP aims are targeted.

Projects: Live on Paper: book forms

White Crow Papermill.

A Literary Delight: NAPtext(s)

Speaking of hidden gems, take a look at our exciting literary venture NAPtext(s). In a beautifully conceived format, the journal presents profound writing and poetry by people in the visual, literary and performing fields. For each issue, text(s) Editor, Pat McCoy picks contributors usually based on a given theme. A classy gift available singularly or by subscription. New lower subscription rates in effect. To order, use the form on page 2 of the Preview.

NBC, CBS, ABC… NAP?

We don’t exactly have our own TV station yet, but NAP does produce two top-notch TV programs that can be seen on cable and Youtube. James Carroll, NAP Director, produces and hosts the two monthly live one-hour call-in shows. Both programs present artists and topics from the literary, performing and visual arts. Each live show is taped for rebroadcasts.

“New Arts Alive” is a monthly profile of a single guest artist. Live and recorded performances often accompany the dialogue as artists present their work and its process.

On “NAP Connection” a four member panel, which changes with each month’s new topic, engages in a spirited roundtable discussion about the arts.

International Invitational Salon of Small Works

A salon-style show featuring over 200 wall works by artists from around the country. This exhibition is always a highlight of our season and is held every summer beginning in May. Each artist is represented by one work limited to 200 square inches including frame. Videos have become a growing attraction at the Invitational Salon. The show has been exceptional every year. There is a $5.00 fee for the booklet, being a NAP member is not a criteria.

Entry invitations will be emailed out to previous exhibitors in March. Other artists wishing to be considered should send a one-paged typed statement about the work, photo copies or CD of their work and a SASE for return to: Exhibitions, New Arts Program, POB 82, Kutztown, PA 19530, or email at napconn@aol.com