Rhodes Arts Center Fast Facts
The Arts Program at NMH
The arts program at Northfield Mount Hermon is about synergy, passion, self discovery, and authenticity. For decades our school has brought the arts to the forefront of the NMH experience. Every student is touched by the power of artistic expression in some way, as participant, witness, and most often, both. The largest lesson is that the arts join us in profound ways—personally, culturally, and spiritually.
Recognizing the impact the visual and performing arts historically has had on NMH students and the need for improved facilities, the NMH Board of Trustees approved a new center for the arts—a magnificent building that brings together the arts faculty and departments, students, and ultimately, the entire community. Opened in September 2008, students learn, practice, and perform in an inspiring, light-filled environment, and the community can witness their talents coming to life in this state-of-the-art setting. The project was completed on schedule and on budget.
Facts and Figures
- Architects: Childs Bertman Tseckares, Inc. (CBT), of Boston, MA
- Schedule: groundbreaking September 2006; completed September 2008
- Size: 63,000 square feet on three levels
- Cost: $29 million
- Site plan: The facility is located on the eastern edge of campus between Holbrook Hall and Forslund Gymnasium, where Recitation and Silliman Halls once stood. Here, the center for the arts redefines the landscape and academic quad, creates community as it sits along current student paths, and takes advantage of shared parking in support of our plan to pedestrianize the center of campus.
- Unique design features: 1) an interior “street” runs on an axis through all three levels, connecting the different parts of the building; 2) a tower echoes Blake Hall, Memorial Chapel, and the towers of Northfield; 3) LEED gold certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Building Rating System®).
Fundraising
In June 2006, NMH received a lead gift of $5 million for the new arts facility from William R. Rhodes ’53, chairman emeritus of the NMH Board of Trustees. In honor of this gift, the building has been named the Rhodes Arts Center as a continuous reminder of his and his father’s (Edward R. Rhodes ’16) faithful service to the school.
Several major naming opportunities are still available for gifts ranging from $50,000 to $3 million. For more information about specific opportunities or other ways to support this capital project, please contact:
| Allyson Goodwin ’83 Chief Advancement Officer 413-498-3334 |
For information about other giving opportunties, click here.
Arts program contact information
If you would like to learn more about the NMH arts program, contact:
| Sheila Heffernon Performing Arts Chair 413-498-3341 |
Philip Calabria Visual Arts Chair 413-498-3492 |