Arts Society of Kingston

Founded in 1995 by local artists in Kingston, NY, ASK today has grown to become a not-for-profit, 501-C-3, membership organization with over 600 members. Among ASK members you will find many talented, highly respected professional artists, as well as emerging artists and supporters of the arts.

To become a member, one need not be an artist or live in Kingston to support the organization. Membership is open to all and there is no requirement other than a sincere interest in the arts. We extend a warm invitation to any and all who would like to become a member.

While ASK does not represent specific artists, the organization does strive to help further the interest in our members’ art by providing opportunities to have their work seen through exhibitions and studio tours. During the year, ASK hosts 10-12 members' shows each year in one of its galleries at its headquarters at 97 Broadway near the Rondout in Kingston, as well as shows of featured artists at the same location and off-premises shows elsewhere in the area.

Each year the juried exhibitions have gained in reputation for their excellence and stature. Works displayed have included painting, ceramics, fiber, video, jewelry, sculpture, drawing, furniture, architectural renderings, and photography.

ASK has hosted shows by Kingston High School and elementary schools student artists, as well as shows by Bard and Marist College artists.

ASK is home to many performances including plays, musicals, acoustic open mics, music performances, poetry readings and much more. The Playwrights' Lab, a workshop for plays in progress, is a mainstay of ASK performances and has hosted ASK Playwrights' Lab Summer Festival of Staged Readings.

In 2005, ASK acquired the building at 97 Broadway in Kingston and has been renovating it for use as its new headquarters, exhibition space and multi-arts center. The first floor includes two galleries, the spacious Main Gallery, suitable for large group shows or major solo shows, and the Members' Lounge Gallery, a more intimate space, designed also as a place for members to gather, relax, and chat with other artists and art lovers.

Renovations are still in progress on the second floor of the building, which will eventually include a state-of-the-art, 99-seat performance venue offering plays, live music, films and multi-media performances; a recording studio; and a classroom and artists' workspace.

The Arts Society of Kingston presents a diverse range of visual art exhibitions, performances, workshops, classes, and other arts-related programming for the benefit of artists, art-lovers, and the general community of the Hudson Valley. Through its initiatives, ASK provides opportunities, resources, and education for artists. In carrying out this mission, ASK enriches the quality of life, bridges cultural gaps, and increases awareness and appreciation of the arts.

The Arts Society of Kingston will sustain its multi-arts center in order to provide a rich and vibrant range of visual, performing, and literary arts for the diverse populations of its region. ASK's educational initiatives will serve both established and emerging artists working in a wide variety of media. The newly renovated center will have a fully accessible, theater, painting studio, fine art gallery, members' lounge, and administrative offices for its professional and appreciated full-time staff. ASK will prove to be a social, cultural, and economic driver in any economy.