HISTORY AND VISION
The Cultural Center of Cape Cod was founded in 2001, driven by a passionate group of community members determined to preserve and revitalize the historic Bass River Savings Bank building, which had stood vacant and deteriorating for seventeen years. Through the extraordinary efforts of dedicated volunteers, strategic community partnerships, and grassroots fundraising, the Cultural Center was established and officially opened as a nonprofit organization in 2007, successfully renovating the building at a fraction of the original estimated cost, thanks to generous grants, including substantial support from the Town of Yarmouth Community Preservation Fund.
Under its guiding principle "All the Arts for All of Us," the Center has become a cornerstone of cultural enrichment on Cape Cod. It aims to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and cultural exploration through inclusive and accessible programs across visual, culinary, literary, and performing arts. Since opening its doors, the Cultural Center has welcomed more than 275,000 visitors, providing a vibrant community space where art, education, and culture converge.
Recognized for its community impact and architectural achievements, the Cultural Center has received prestigious awards, including the Adaptive Reuse Award from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Community Impact Award from the Town of Yarmouth.
Significant milestones in the Center’s growth include the 2016 opening of a new Education Wing, which doubled its capacity for programming without incurring debt, made possible through funding from the Cultural Facilities Fund, Yarmouth Community Preservation Fund, and individual donors.
Leadership has been central to the Center's growth and innovation. First under the direction of Founding Executive Director Robert Nash and since 2022, under the leadership of Executive Director Molly Demeulenaere, the Center has emphasized inclusivity and accessibility. Molly, a seasoned museum executive, manages a dedicated team and works closely with a committed Board of Trustees, guiding strategic initiatives focused on fiscal stability, deepening community engagement, innovation in programming, campus preservation, and deliberate institutional diversity.
The strategic objectives guiding the Cultural Center include:
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Ensuring fiscal stability by diligently securing and diversifying financial resources.
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Enhancing the guest experience to foster positive interactions with staff, faculty, and volunteers, creating a sense of community, inspiration, and engagement.
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Expanding audience reach and deepening community engagement to highlight the value of arts and culture as essential to quality of life.
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Encouraging innovation and empowering staff to become leaders and creatively advance the Center’s mission.
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Maintaining campus facilities to preserve their historical integrity and maximize their role in energizing public engagement.
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Embracing diversity through intentional institutional initiatives across leadership, staff, and programming.
The Cultural Center offers extensive programming at two main locations: the flagship Bass River Arts Campus in South Yarmouth and the Hyannis Arts Hub, in downtown Hyannis. These facilities host diverse exhibitions, artist studios, a performance hall, culinary arts center, recording studio, ceramics studio, makerspace, and classrooms. In 2024 alone, the Center hosted 786 classes and 65 concerts, significantly expanding its reach and accessibility.
A major step in the Center’s ongoing expansion occurred in October 2023, with the launch of a partnership at the Guyer Art Barn and Garage Studio located within the Hyannis HyArts Cultural District. This initiative brought new programming to Hyannis, Cape Cod’s most diverse and populous community, underscoring the Center’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Community engagement and support for at-risk populations have always been integral to the Center’s mission. Programs such as Rise and Shine, established in 2008, offer educational, artistic, and mentoring opportunities for at-risk youth, seniors, and individuals with special needs. This initiative provides a stable, safe, and enriching environment, addressing local community challenges such as poverty, substance abuse, and juvenile crime.
Equity and accessibility remain foundational principles. Through partnerships with Museums for All and Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture, the Cultural Center ensures that economic status is not a barrier to participation, providing free gallery and concert access to individuals and families with financial constraints.
Internally, the Center practices rigorous diversity, equity, and inclusion standards, reflected in ongoing staff training, deliberate hiring practices, and increased representation of diverse artists in programming. For instance, by 2024, 47% of concerts featured women and 19% featured BIPOC artists.
Looking ahead, the Cultural Center continues strategic growth through projects such as The Art Barn, an interactive children's art museum opening in 2025, and an international artist-in-residence program in partnership with Open Society Foundations. These projects exemplify the Center's commitment to cultural exploration and community enrichment, ensuring continued accessibility to high-quality arts programming for all members of the Cape Cod community.
Accessibility: The Cultural Center is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all visitors. It is accessible for visitors with limited mobility through an elevator and ramps. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Read our accessibility policy here.
Photography: Taking and sharing of photos is allowed for personal use only. Permissions for photography may vary based on the exhibition. Flash photography, tripods, and "selfie sticks" are not permitted.
Drawing in the Galleries: Drawing in the galleries is a centuries-old tradition, and visitors are welcome to sketch. However, we ask that you use only pencil.
Food and Beverages: We are a BYOB center and welcome you to bring your own beverage to concerts. However, no other food and drinks are allowed on campus.
Respect the Art: We love art and know that you do, too. Therefore, we request visitors not to touch, climb, sit on, kick, hit, or lick the art (unless otherwise directed by the artist or Center). Artwork can be fragile and easily damaged by the oils on your fingers and hands. We recommend maintaining an arm's length distance from the work.
School Groups: Groups of ten or more, including P-12 school tour requests, must be scheduled by contacting our Director of Learning at 508.394.7100 or emailing christinee@cultural-center.org.
Lost & Found: If you lose something, please email info@cultural-center.org, and we will be happy to help you find the items you lost.
Pets: Service animals, as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA), are always welcome.
No Smoking: Smoking, including vaping, is prohibited throughout the Center and both campuses.
Weapons: Firearms and all other weapons are prohibited in all areas of the Center, except those carried by law enforcement officers.