Arts at the Armory

Arts at the Armory The Center for Arts at the Armory is a non-profit organization that resides in the Somerville Armory
(323)

The Center for Arts at the Armory (Arts at the Armory) is a non-profit organization that resides in a historic Armory building, serving Somerville and the Greater Boston community and beyond as an accessible and inclusive venue for arts, cultural and community events, exhibitions, classes, and more. The repurposed Armory opened its doors as a community arts center in 2008, and Arts at the Armory b

ecame the anchor tenant in the building, renting and operating the main hall and Cafe. The mission of Arts at the Armory is to provide free and affordably-priced space for arts, cultural and community events and programming, and thereby bring diverse audiences together, enrich and transform lives, and promote the creative economy. Arts at the Armory hosts 750+ events each year in disciplines including music, dance, theater, literary arts, visual arts, film, circus, comedy and more. If an event is free to the public, the Armory Cafe provides space at no charge to event organizers. The Armory’s Performance Hall provides an accessibly priced option to performing arts and cultural and community groups of Greater Boston. The Armory Cafe and Hall also provide a vast and inspiring panorama of arts and cultural events to audiences throughout the year. Arts at the Armory hosts dozens of markets including the Somerville Winter Farmers Market, which promote the creative economy, local businesses and community economic development. In addition, the Arts at the Armory Cafe features between 6-8 visual arts exhibitions showcasing local artists each year. The MBTA Green Line Extension to Somerville/Medford was completed in 2022. Visitors and patrons of Arts at the Armory can take the Green Line to the new Magoun Square stop. Learn more at: https://www.mbta.com/projects/green-line-extension-glx

UPDATED Cafe Hours, starting July 9, 2023:
Mondays & Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays-Fridays: 12:00PM - 7:30PM
Saturdays: 9:00AM-7:30PM
Sundays: 9:00AM-5:00PM

Want to hold your next event at the Center for Arts at the Armory? Fill out the Event Contact Form to get started: https://artsatthearmory.org/spaces/event-contact-form/

The Armory was built in 1903 by George A. Moore to house the Somerville Light Infantry of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. For nearly seventy years after it was built, the Armory also housed the Massachusetts National Guard. During the last quarter of the 20th century, the building was used for some community events but largely sat vacant until the State of Massachusetts decided to sell the building in 2004. The historic Armory was purchased by Joseph and Nabil Sater, in collaboration with Highland Armory Realty Trust (HART), in April 2004 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for $2.6 million. The building was acquired by the City of Somerville through eminent domain in June 2021. Sign up for our newsletter here: https://artsatthearmory.org/about/monthly-newsletter/

On Tuesday, September 2nd at 6:00 pm, Reciprocity Music Presents: An Evening with MaMuse! Beloved folk-soul duo MaMuse –...
08/29/2025

On Tuesday, September 2nd at 6:00 pm, Reciprocity Music Presents: An Evening with MaMuse! Beloved folk-soul duo MaMuse – that’s “Ma” like Mamma, “Muse” like the one who inspires – are bringing their full band to Boston as part of their Waking Time tour this fall to share harmonic, uplifting, luscious, folk-soul. More info and tickets available here: https://artsatthearmory.org/events/reciprocity-music-presents-an-evening-with-mamuse/
Doors at 6:00, Show at 7:00

Looking for space to meet, rehearse, or create without the big price tag? At Arts at the Armory, we know how important a...
08/26/2025

Looking for space to meet, rehearse, or create without the big price tag? At Arts at the Armory, we know how important accessible space is for artists, teachers, and community builders. Our no-staff rental options make it easy and affordable to bring your work to life!

☕ On weekdays, our ROOTED Cafe transforms into a creative meeting and/or rehearsal space (capacity 40) starting at $50/hour on Peerspace. With a stage, piano, projector, and inspiring local art—it’s not your average meeting room.

🌿 The Lavender Room is cozy, flexible, and affordable, with Wi-Fi, seating, and even a baby grand piano. Perfect for small meetings, workshops, or rehearsals (capacity 20) rentals start at $25/hour on Peerspace.

We recommend using our Peerspace listings to get started and view current availability. Or, you can email [email protected].

Arts at the Armory on Peerspace: https://www.peerspace.com/profiles/63223130d9d0c3000e72877a?utm_source=copy_link&utm_campaign=profile_sharing

On Sunday, August 24th at 7:30 pm, join us in the Armory ROOTED Cafe for High Horse! Four friends, three bows, and one p...
08/22/2025

On Sunday, August 24th at 7:30 pm, join us in the Armory ROOTED Cafe for High Horse! Four friends, three bows, and one pick: High Horse is a progressive acoustic string band blending Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Celtic influences with the energy of alternative rock. Hailing from Boston, MA, High Horse delivers a rollicking romp of great vibes, virtuosic chops, and tight vocals.

Tickets: $20 at the door

Doors open at 7:30 PM
Show begins at 8:00 PM

At the Center for Arts at the Armory, our two unique venue spaces provide the perfect stage for your vision, whether you...
08/21/2025

At the Center for Arts at the Armory, our two unique venue spaces provide the perfect stage for your vision, whether you’re planning a ticketed performance or a free public gathering.

The Performance Hall is an open-concept, creative venue that transforms with layout, lighting, and décor, a favorite home for concerts, immersive performances, indoor markets, and more. The ROOTED Cafe is a cozy, art-filled space designed for connection, celebrating local talent while fostering community.

Whether you’re bringing in a crowd of hundreds or creating an intimate night of art, our team is here to make your event shine! Book your space now: https://artsatthearmory.org/venue-rental/event-contact-form/

Photo 1 (Cafe Flamenco) by Antonio Tiriti
Photo 2 (Moth Story Slam) by Ron Smith
Photo 3 (Glowball) by Ron Smith
Photo 4 (Acoustic Nomads) by Stephanie Scherpf

On Sunday, August 24th from 2-5 pm, join us for Gaia Collective's One-Day Choir with “Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac! More i...
08/21/2025

On Sunday, August 24th from 2-5 pm, join us for Gaia Collective's One-Day Choir with “Landslide” – Fleetwood Mac! More info and tickets available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/boston-landslide-fleetwood-mac-one-day-choir-tickets-1482282008389?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Gaia Music Collective’s One-Day Choir series is an opportunity to sing in a choir for one day only. A celebration of song and the connective power of singing in harmony. An opportunity to build community, make some new friends, and raise our powerfully diverse voices as one.

Just the joy of creating something bigger than ourselves with a room full of beautiful humans!

For each choir, we pick a piece of music to rehearse and sing our hearts out to. In our time together, we’ll:

Play some fun singing games, warmups, & connection games
Work through the piece section by section
Break down the lyrics & emotions at play in the song
Shape some key musical moments
& Record some casual rehearsal videos of the piece to have for ourselves and share with the greater Gaia community
Whether you’re a vocal ensemble veteran or have never sung in a group before, you are welcome here – all experience levels are valued in Gaia Music Collective!

On Saturday, August 23rd at 7 pm, get ready to dance the night away with live music and great vibes at Make Friends Afte...
08/20/2025

On Saturday, August 23rd at 7 pm, get ready to dance the night away with live music and great vibes at Make Friends After College (MFAC)'s FREE 20’s & 30’s BIG SUMMER PARTY! More info available on our website: https://artsatthearmory.org/events/big-summer-party/

Make Friends After College (MFAC) was made in order for people in their 20s-30s to get out of the house, meet new people, try new things, and just have a fun time overall! MFAC has over 25,000 members of young professionals in their 20’s and 30’s looking to meet other young professionals in the Boston area.

🎤 Looking for the perfect private event space? At Arts at the Armory, we offer two one-of-a-kind event settings: the Per...
08/19/2025

🎤 Looking for the perfect private event space? At Arts at the Armory, we offer two one-of-a-kind event settings: the Performance Hall and the ROOTED Cafe, ready to transform for your next celebration!

Our Performance Hall is a blank canvas in the best sense—an open, modular space that can shift from an elegant seated dinner to a vibrant party floor with ease. With a capacity of 350 seated/495 standing, this space includes a mezzanine, a fully-stocked bar, air conditioning, and a state-of-the-art sound system to elevate your experience.

ROOTED Cafe is a charming, intimate space featuring rotating exhibitions by local artists. With a 52-person capacity, this space is perfect for small gatherings that deserve extra care and a personal touch.

As we approach our busy Fall season, availability is limited for these two special spaces. Book your event today: https://artsatthearmory.org/venue-rental/event-contact-form/

Photo 1 (hall) by Chris Mongeau
Photos 2 and 3 (wedding) by Gina Brocker Photography

On Saturday, August 23rd from 10 am to 5 pm, join us for the Northeast Tea Festival! More info and tickets available her...
08/19/2025

On Saturday, August 23rd from 10 am to 5 pm, join us for the Northeast Tea Festival! More info and tickets available here: https://northeastteafestival.com/products/north-east-tea-festival?variant=49617883136213

This is the perfect place to indulge your love for all things tea. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, you will find something to excite your taste buds, spark your curiosity, and get an unforgettable experience from the vibrant cultures of tea from around the globe!

Experience the finest teas from around the world, including Nepal, Japan, China, India, and more. Meet tea masters and learn the stories behind their craft.

Discover the art of tea through interactive workshops. Learn brewing techniques, explore tea history, and enhance your palate with expert guidance.

Share your love for tea with fellow enthusiasts, make new connections, and celebrate the vibrant tea culture together.

This festival is for everyone – from curious sippers to industry experts. Each cup of tea tells a story and we look forward to hearing yours!

You’re invited to join us for an in-person Somerville Mayoral Forum on Arts & Culture at Warehouse XI in Somerville on M...
08/18/2025

You’re invited to join us for an in-person Somerville Mayoral Forum on Arts & Culture at Warehouse XI in Somerville on Monday, August 25th at 6:30 pm (doors at 6:00 pm). Learn more and register at: https://www.mass-creative.org/events/2025-somerville-mayoral-forum

This election is a chance to show that arts and culture are not optional; they are essential. Hear directly from Katjana Ballantyne, Willie Burnley Jr, and Jake Wilson about how they’ll support Somerville’s artists, cultural spaces, and creative economy. The forum will be moderated by Amelia Mason, Senior Arts & Culture Reporter at WBUR.

Online registration closes on Friday, August 22nd at 12 pm. They are not taking live questions from the audience - only questions that are submitted in advance through the online registration form will be considered for the forum.

On Saturday, August 23rd from 3-5 pm, join us at ROOTED Café for an Opening Reception for Adonis Deking’s “lakes” Exhibi...
08/18/2025

On Saturday, August 23rd from 3-5 pm, join us at ROOTED Café for an Opening Reception for Adonis Deking’s “lakes” Exhibition, on display in the Café from August 14 through September 29, 2025.

Join us on Tuesday, August 26th at 6:30 pm for the Boston Moth StorySLAM! This community-focused, open-mic storytelling ...
08/17/2025

Join us on Tuesday, August 26th at 6:30 pm for the Boston Moth StorySLAM! This community-focused, open-mic storytelling competition is open to anyone can share a story on the night’s theme (changes every month). Doors open at 6:30 pm, show begins at 7:30 pm. More info and tickets available here: https://themoth.org/events/lies-boston-2025

This month's topic is LIES: Prepare a five-minute story about bending the truth. From little white lies to epic cover-ups. Tell us about the fibs you told, believed, or exposed. Playing fast and loose with the truth, being duped, or getting caught red-handed. Beefing up your resume or flashing your fake ID. Pinocchio, Madoff, Catfish… and maybe you? Cross your heart and hope to lie.

*Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the show. Admission is not guaranteed for late arrivals. All sales final.
Media Sponsors: PRX and WBUR

Address

191 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA
02143

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Arts at the Armory posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Arts at the Armory:

Share