Our Mission
MBACC’s mission is to build a vibrant and sustainable center that enriches the Dedham community and stimulates the revitalization and growth of the Mother Brook neighborhoods through the arts.
MBACC is the first and only community-wide, multigenerational, large-scale arts project in Dedham. It is a catalyst for revitalization, enrichment, and economic development for the neighborhood, Town and region as an arts and cultural destination.
MBACC provides indoor and outdoor community gathering space; regularly scheduled performances and events; leased studio space for 35 artists; a modern 10-wheel ceramics studio; a fully-equipped silversmithing studio; and an arts education program that affordably serves all segments of Dedham's population and surrounding towns.
Creativity
Art enhances cultural and community vitality by fostering connections among individuals of all ages and abilities in Dedham. It encourages engagement across different socioeconomic backgrounds, creating common ground and meaningful relationships. Mother Brook Arts and Community Center (MBACC) values the creative process as a means of self-discovery. We nurture creative thinking through diverse teaching methods, aiming to create an innovative and inspirational environment that makes the arts accessible and exciting for everyone.
Community
Mother Brook Arts and Community Center is dedicated to addressing the needs of our town and neighbors. We aim to foster respectful dialogue among staff, community, and local government. MBACC promotes community ownership, empowerment, and pride, ensuring equal access to the arts. We collaborate with Dedham and surrounding areas to create a vibrant arts environment, embracing diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.
Economic revitalization
The creative sector significantly impacts the economy and is a stable industry, less affected by economic fluctuations than typical New England businesses. Mother Brook collaborates with arts-focused non-profits in Dedham and nearby towns to build a regional arts community. MBACC prioritizes excellent customer service for users and donors, committing to best practices for maintaining a high-quality arts and community center.
Our History
In 1826 a new public school, to be named the Avery in 1867, was built on High Street in Dedham, Massachusetts. The site overlooks the banks of the Mother Brook Canal, the oldest hand-dug mill pond in the United States. The canal was constructed in 1639 to take advantage of the height difference between the Charles and Neponset Rivers to create a source for hydropower for flour, textile and woodworking mills. In 1921, the third Avery Grammar School on the Mother Brook site burned to the ground. A new school was built on the 3.8 acre site and remained in operation until April 2012 when it was declared surplus.
Anticipating the closing, a Selectmen-appointed committee held 11 public meetings in 2011 that resulted in an enthusiastic endorsement of re-using the Avery as an arts and community center. With grass roots support and Mother Brook Community Group seed money, Mother Brook Arts and Community Center was formed to create the new center. Spring 2012 Town Meeting overwhelmingly voted support for the MBACC concept. The Town of Dedham and MBACC signed a ten year lease for the former Avery School building on March 1, 2013.
