Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) is a vibrant multi-arts center located in Kingston’s historic waterfront district. Throughout the year, ASK presents gallery exhibitions, workshops, performances, and community programs that bring people together through the transformative power of the arts.
ASK is dedicated to supporting artists at every stage of their creative journey—from inception to presentation—while building meaningful connections within our community.
Founded in 1995 by a group of pioneering artists with a small gallery on North Front Street, ASK has grown into a thriving cultural hub. Today, the organization operates from a 7,000-square-foot historic building that houses three galleries, a performance venue, and a studio classroom, creating space for artists and community members to gather, collaborate, and create.
What is the Arts Society of Kingston?
ASK is:
An artistic home for hundreds of artists, providing opportunities to develop new work, present exhibitions and performances, and connect with fellow creatives through gallery openings, community gatherings, volunteer days, and artist events.
A multi-arts center housed in a 7,000-square-foot building featuring three galleries, a rehearsal and performance space, and a studio classroom. These spaces host monthly exhibitions, performances, and weekly classes and workshops—amounting to hundreds of programs each year.
A community arts resource, offering free programming for local children, reduced rehearsal and studio rentals for member artists, and free adult programming in both the visual and performing arts.
Arts Spaces Available to the Community
ASK provides a variety of spaces that artists, educators, and community groups can use for creative work and public programming:
- Three gallery and exhibition spaces where artists can present installations, group shows, or solo exhibitions.
- A well-appointed 90-seat performance venue, featuring a stage, theatrical curtains, lighting, sound system, and a beautiful oak floor that is ideal for dance and performance.
- A flexible classroom studio designed for workshops, classes, rehearsals, and creative gatherings.
- Discounted rental rates for ASK members, making space accessible and affordable for artists developing new work.
Opportunities for Performing Artists
ASK is home to an active performing arts community. Performing artists use ASK for workshops, rehearsals, readings, and performances, as well as for the development of new theatrical and interdisciplinary work.
Member performing artists and guest artists are encouraged to bring performances, concerts, and productions to ASK’s Great Room performance venue and classroom studio. Artists can also teach their own programs in ASK’s spaces which are priced for accessibility.
Opportunities for Visual Artists
ASK provides visual artists with opportunities to exhibit and promote their work through solo and group exhibitions throughout the year. Member artists can show on a monthly basis, seven times throughout the year, as well as compete for curated and juried shows.
Monthly gallery shows feature both member artists and invited artists, creating a dynamic exhibition program that welcomes diverse artistic voices.
ASK’s ground floor galleries are fully accessible, and a chair lift provides access to the second floor for classes and performances.
Artist members enjoy discounted rental rates for ASK’s performance and workshop spaces, making it easier to rehearse, teach, and develop new work.
Member artists are also invited to participate in seven annual Members Exhibitions, where they can submit artwork that responds to each exhibition’s theme. These shows provide artists with opportunities to share their work with the community, connect with fellow artists, and be part of ASK’s vibrant exhibition program.
ASK’s Galleries are open to the public Thursday – Sunday, noon to 5 PM, and by appointment. The performing arts venue and classrooms are open daily.
Admission to our galleries is free.
We invite you to visit, explore the galleries, attend a performance, take a class, or simply spend time in a space where creativity and community come together.
Land Acknowledgement
The Arts Society of Kingston respectfully acknowledges that we gather and create on the ancestral homelands of the Esopus people, a subgroup of the Lenape (Delaware) Nation. Long before Dutch colonization, the Esopus lived in villages along the Hudson River and its tributaries, including the Rondout Creek, where they farmed, fished, and stewarded the land.
As a cultural organization rooted in Kingston’s waterfront district, we are committed to learning from this history and to fostering relationships, dialogue, and programming that reflect respect for Indigenous communities and the land on which we gather.
ASK Timeline
Non-Discrimination Statement
Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
ASK is dedicated to ensuring equal access to our programs, exhibitions, performances, employment opportunities, volunteer roles, and services. We actively work to create a space where artists, audiences, students, staff, and community members of all backgrounds feel respected, valued, and supported.
We believe that diverse voices strengthen our creative community and enrich the cultural life of Kingston and beyond.