History Print

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Jerry Christen
  Bedford Center for the Arts began as a grass-roots organization of individuals interested in promoting the arts in Bedford.  The group was led by Jerry Christen, an organizational management expert, musician and long-time resident of Bedford. Jerry was the founder of A New Song Coffee House in Bedford and the Boston Area Coffee House Association. In late 1999, encouraged by the work and enthusiasm of Bedford 2000 committee, a cross-generational group of residents explored the possibility of establishing an arts center in town. It was Jerry’s vision to turn Old Town Hall -- which was built in 1844 and was in the process of being restored with local/state Historic Preservation Funds -- into an arts center.

Bedford Center for the Arts was established as a nonprofit, membership organization in January 2000. As BCA’s founding president, Jerry worked tirelessly with his boards of directors to promote the arts through the sharing of ideas and partnerships among artists and organizations all around Bedford. Even without a physical location, BCA became known for “promoting community through the arts.” 

In the fall of 2005, two years after Jerry’s untimely death from cancer, BCA signed a lease with the Town of Bedford to move into the ground floor of the newly restored and renovated Old Town Hall. After months of all-volunteer interior construction work, the space was built to include an office, two artist studios, and a flexible program space. On Jan. 18, 2006 BCA opened its doors at Old Town Hall. 

Bedford Center for the Arts is supported almost entirely through memberships and donations. Over the years, in addition to sponsoring and co-sponsoring a variety of arts events – concerts, art exhibits, drama camps, workshops, classes, theater and opera performances. BCA’s first town-wide celebration of the arts -- Arts for All! – was staged in June 2000 and continued annually for five years. In 2005, BCA organized Project Birdhouse, a community-wide birdhouse design competition and exhibition that attracted artists and designers of all ages and abilities. 

In 2006, BCA helped bring to Bedford the Three Apples Storytelling Festival. The largest storytelling festival in New England, Three Apples brings nationally known storytellers – and hundreds of story-telling fans -- to Bedford for two days each fall. 

In addition to hosting Three Apples, BCA now hosts arts classes and workshops for all ages in our space at Old Town Hall and other locations, stages an annual Artists Ball fundraiser, and serves as a local gathering spot for lovers of all the arts.