Dear Friends,

“Creative economy is alive and well living in New Bedford” -- from assisting and maintaining an important youth performing non-profit to our ethnic heritage, our architecture and housing stock highlighted by PBS, one of our many artists, one of our 13 festivals and our latest addition to connecting the story of our city’s past, present and future.

Matthew A. Morrissey
Executive Director
 

 New Bedford artist paints Fenway-inspired murals throughout New England

Jack and Owen Boucher share a room, which might ordinarily be a problem for 13- and 10-year-old brothers. But not here: One long wall of their bedroom is painted to look like the Green Monster, and for these young athletes, it is pretty much the coolest thing - ever. Twin beds sit at either end of the Fenway Park scoreboard, on which Ortiz is up and the Yankees are decisively losing to the home team 6-0.
"Our friends think we're kidding," says Owen, with a grin.

"They don't believe it until they see it," adds older brother Jack.  [read more]
 

 “This Old House” features New Bedford on PBS

Kempton's Corners, New Bedford, Massachusetts

The Neighborhood
The seaside town where Herman Melville set Moby-Dick, New Bedford, is also known for its historic architecture. Its restored mansions are highly coveted, but the more modest neighborhood of Kempton’s Corners and the adjacent Acushnet Heights Historic District offer affordable options, and they're just a short walk from downtown shops, galleries, and seafood restaurants. The local job market includes work in the civic sector, the textile industry, and the age-old fishing trade. A new commuter rail system to Boston is expected to begin service in the next few years.

The Houses
Kempton's Corners and Acushnet Heights [read more]

 Creative energy thrives downtown

On Sunday afternoon, June 22, I greeted close to 100 visitors in ArtWorks! galleries. This was just a sample of all those who came to downtown New Bedford to share in the Taste Our SouthCoast food tasting or to watch artists at work at easels around the downtown area. A creative partnership between Downtown New Bedford Inc. and ArtWorks! brought crowds to Custom House Square and emphasized again that New Bedford is a creative city.

A creative place is where people experience the true pleasures of life. A young couple with their [read more]

 New Bedford Ocean Explorium prepares to open

The Sea: we look to it for inspiration, sustenance and adventure. Our community is defined by the sea. Throughout our history we have taken both pleasure and profit from the waters that meet our shores and from the oceans beyond.

But how much do we know about the sea and the forces that act upon it? How can we be wiser and more effective stewards of this wonderful resource? How can we meet the challenges and opportunities that face our friends and neighbors who make their living from the sea? How can we ensure that our children will both love the sea and [read more]

 Heaping helpings of local flavor at Taste Our SouthCoast

NEW BEDFORD — Downtown New Bedford was a food and art lover's dream come true Sunday afternoon for the second annual Taste Our SouthCoast, an outdoor festival featuring live music, artists at work and cuisine from 19 local restaurants.
Hungry people from throughout the region sampled food under two white tents at Custom House Square in the historic district while Entrain, a Martha's Vineyard-based funk band, kept the mood light and the energy high. On the cobblestone streets surrounding the square, local artists painted cityscapes that were raffled off later.

The event, produced by Downtown New Bedford [read more]
 

 City’s diverse ethnic heritage celebrated again

New Bedford – Eighteen-month old Jamiel Tavares clutched a balloon in one hand and looked out onto Union Street with big eyes, anticipating the excitement as a parade was approaching.

His father, Frank Tavares has been anticipating it too. Since he was 12 years old, he had attended the Cape Verdean Recognition Week parade in the city. Now, he could share the experience with his son.

“It’s a tradition. It’s one that’s held every. [read more]

 Summerfest provides a treat for the senses

New Bedford – After a modest start Friday night with two bands and an open food court, Summerfest kicked into high gear Saturday as musicians performed on six stages and vendors and artisans came out in full force.

Bands played continuously on the Custom House stage from 11 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Smaller stages scattered throughout the cobblestone streets downtown hosted other musicians. At the National Park Visitors Center Theater, festival attendees could meet the performers in an intimate setting.

Craft booths and tents wound from [read more]

 Destination: SouthCoast

NEW BEDFORD — Could it be true? Could the predictions be right? Could $4 gasoline and the American dollar declining into Monopoly money on the Fourth of July weekend spell success for the region's tourism industry?

It seems so, judging by the results of the early tourist season in SouthCoast. Attendance is up at local attractions, even if people are spending less when they get here because they have to fill the tank for the ride home.

Foreign visitors taking advantage of the [read more]
 

 NBEDC works to help ballet school relocate

For more than 20 years, the School of the New Bedford Ballet and the New Bedford Ballet Foundation have served the Greater New Bedford community by introducing children to the magical world of ballet. Over 1,500 children have taken ballet classes with us during that time, some of them going on to professional dance careers and all of them enriched through the experience of beauty and hard work that is ballet.

We currently have 135 students enrolled in classes and just presented "The Door Beyond the Sun" at the [read more]