It is an awesome time for arts in Newton. City government, nonprofits, artists, businesses, and residents are all elevating arts and culture as part of Newton’s core identity – and Spark Newton is ready to meet the moment.
Leandra Sharron joined Spark Newton this spring as its new Executive Director. She brings nearly 15 years in nonprofit arts administration, including eight years managing festivals and public programs like the Boston Book Festival. She holds a degree in Arts Management and has extensive experience building and running large-scale community arts programs. In her first couple of months with our organization, she has been meeting with local artists, community partners, city leaders, businesses, and residents to better understand Newton’s arts ecosystem and how Spark Newton can continue strengthening it. And behind the scenes, she is building the organizational infrastructure needed to support our nonprofit’s growth.
Over the years, Spark Newton staff along with an engaged board and dedicated volunteers have launched and supported arts festivals, poetry contests, live music, and youth scholarships while enlivening public spaces with art and flower gardens. Whether producing our own signature events or amplifying the wider arts community through sponsored events supported by our grant programs, Spark Newton believes in the power of art to build community and vibrant village centers.
As Spark Newton enters its next chapter, the organization is building on its legacy and sparking the creative spirit in Newton that brings our community together. Spark Newton’s Board of Directors is chaired by longtime board member and arts supporter Gloria Gavris, who stepped up to serve once again as Board Chair after former Board Chair Meryl Kessler was tapped by Mayor Marc Laredo to lead Newton’s first Arts and Culture Department. Together with the City’s plans to appoint its first Poet Laureate later this year, these milestones reflect Newton’s growing commitment to the arts and bring the city’s cultural landscape more in line with those of other major cities across Greater Boston.
Looking ahead, Spark Newton is preserving and expanding free arts and culture opportunities, strengthening partnerships across Newton, and growing sponsorships and community support so that free programming can continue to thrive. At a time when Newton’s arts community is gaining remarkable momentum, Spark Newton continues bringing people together through creativity and creating opportunities for neighbors to connect.