03/05/2026
By Darcie Boyer
March Community Thursdays Event with Lowell Center for the Arts!
Join the Center for Community Research & Engagement for our Community Thursdays event on Thursday, March 19 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 150 Wilder St.
This month we are featured a new organization, the Lowell Center for the Arts (LCA). The mission of LCA is to preserve Lowell’s past, enhance Lowell’s present, and build Lowell’s future through arts, culture and community engagement. Serving as a catalyst for urban revitalization and creative workforce development, the LCA will become a beacon for the performing arts, community programming, and innovation while honoring Lowell’s diverse cultural heritage and shaping its future for generations to come.
At the heart of their mission is the rehabilitation of the Smith Baker Center, originally built as the First Congregational Church in 1884-1885. Designed by renowned architects Otis A. Merrill and Arthur S. Cutler—the same team behind Lowell City Hall—the building is a stunning example of historic architecture, featuring a one-of-a-kind auditorium-style sanctuary with near-perfect acoustics. By restoring this landmark, we are protecting a vital piece of Lowell’s history while giving it a new life as a hub for creativity and innovation.
Of note for our campus community, Owen Kelly, the director of LCA, has a degree in Music Studies from UMass Lowell!
There are amazing people doing important work in our community, both on and off campus. Join us for this informal conversation to talk about how we can support each other and collaborate to improve the lives of everyone in our community.
For more information email Darcie_Boyer@uml.edu.