The Field Center

- 61 Williams Rd, Bellows Falls, VT 05101

The Field Center, located in the picturesque setting of Bellows Falls, Vermont, is far more than a simple point of interest; it is a vibrant, year-round educational center dedicated to contemporary arts practices, dance, and interdisciplinary performance. This specialized institution serves as a crucial resource for working artists at all stages of their careers, offering them a dedicated space to concentrate on their craft, refine their teaching and performance abilities, and forge stronger collaborative relationships with peers. For local Vermonters, it represents a significant cultural anchor, fostering a sophisticated and inclusive arts ecology in the region.

Identifying as a women-owned business, The Field Center operates with a clear mission: to provide meaningful, alternative learning opportunities that intentionally step away from traditional academic models. The focus is on cultivating accessible, open, and rigorous programs that minimize competition and encourage courageous exploration. From weekend-long events to intensive, multi-week residential workshops, the center offers deep dives into areas like contemporary dance, performance development, and experimental arts, ensuring Vermont remains a nexus for artistic innovation and community building. The energy of the center is frequently highlighted by visitors, who describe the experience as inspiring, re-energizing, and deeply caring.

The unique combination of high-level artistic instruction, an inclusive community ethos, and a beautiful rural setting makes The Field Center a truly exceptional destination in Southern Vermont. It is a model for how small arts organizations can thrive and become multi-purpose community spaces, actively working to bridge gaps between various identities, ages, and artistic disciplines both locally and internationally.

Location and Accessibility

The Field Center is nestled at 61 Williams Rd, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, USA, situated in the town of Rockingham within the Windham County area of Southern Vermont. While the location provides the beauty and tranquility necessary for artistic focus, the center has taken meticulous steps to ensure that this artistic sanctuary is physically accessible to everyone in the Vermont community and beyond.

For those driving, the location offers a free parking lot, which includes designated wheelchair-accessible parking, minimizing hassle upon arrival. The center is highly committed to inclusivity, with specific structural and planning elements in place to ensure a comfortable visit. Accessibility features include a wheelchair accessible restroom and wheelchair accessible seating for events and classes. It is important to note that while the general facilities are highly accessible, some specific areas, such as the mixed-media room used for wet media and messy projects, may not be fully wheelchair accessible, and visitors are encouraged to reach out to the center for specific details regarding their planned visit. As a place of learning and focused practice, all programs and services are offered as onsite services and often require a prior appointment due to the intensive nature of the workshops and classes.

Services Offered

The range of services offered by The Field Center is comprehensive, aimed at fostering both the technical skills and the overall well-being of the practicing artist. Their programs are typically organized into immersive, longer-form educational experiences.

• Classes and Workshops: Offering non-academic, specialized training in performance, dance, and interdisciplinary arts.
• Drawing Classes: Including fundamental drawing techniques, experimental mark-making, and figure drawing with a model.
• Master Classes: Residential, long-form intensives often led by internationally established and emerging teachers.
• Cultural Events and Festivals: Hosting public performances, screenings, and gatherings, particularly during the summer months.
• Artist Residencies: Invitation-based residencies that center process over product, offering dedicated studio time for developing new works.
• 'Summits' and Symposiums: Gathering professionals to discuss and foster community within performing arts fields, including specialized conferences for dance artists with disabilities.
• Scholarship Programs: A dedicated, year-round program to ensure diverse and inclusive participation in all activities.
• Residential Work Exchange: An application-based program allowing young artists to exchange labor for access to programming and facilities.
• Studio and Facility Rentals: Providing spaces for research, teaching, community, and rest, including specialized studios for mixed-media projects.
• Shoe Stretching: While primarily an arts center, the facility's extensive focus on the body and movement often includes services that support the physical needs of dancers.

Features / Highlights

What truly sets The Field Center apart in the Vermont arts scene is its deeply ingrained commitment to progressive values, community support, and innovative education.

• Identifies as Women-Owned: A proud local business that supports female leadership in the arts.
• Radical Inclusivity: Publicly designated as LGBTQ+ friendly and a Transgender safespace, ensuring a welcoming environment for all human identities.
• Focus on Non-Academic Models: Provides essential training and development for working artists as an alternative to formal academic education.
• Residential Immersion: Offers longer workshops and intensives where small groups live and work together, fostering deep connection and collaboration.
• Wellness Amenities: Features a gender-neutral restroom and an outdoor shower for spring, summer, and fall campers, enhancing comfort and inclusivity.
• Emphasis on Community and Collaboration: Programming is designed to build stronger relationships and cultivate the arts ecology in the region.
• Free Parking: Provides a free parking lot for the convenience of attendees.
• Outstanding Care and Comfort: Recognized by customers for the high level of care, ease of addressing accessibility needs, and comfortable atmosphere.

Contact Information

For Vermont artists, learners, and community members interested in the center's programs, contact information for The Field Center in Bellows Falls is provided below.

• Address: 61 Williams Rd, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, USA
• Phone: (857) 207-8127
• Mobile Phone: +1 857-207-8127

What is Worth Choosing

For anyone in Vermont—from a working artist needing dedicated space to a community member seeking unique cultural engagement—The Field Center offers compelling reasons to choose it as a destination. The primary value lies in its role as a supportive "incubator" space. It is specifically designed to provide the time, resources, and community necessary for artists to experiment, connect, and train without the typical pressures of product-driven residencies or competitive academic environments. This unique commitment to 'process over product' and to fostering a non-competitive, encouraging atmosphere is worth choosing for any artist or performer looking to evolve their practice.

Furthermore, the center's dedication to social responsibility and inclusivity makes it a standout community choice. The overt commitment to being a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ and Transgender community, combined with the structural accessibility features, ensures that visitors are not just accommodated but are truly included and comfortable, as noted in customer reviews. The high-level of care and incredible energy of the events, where the entire team clearly "pours their heart into this place," translates into a uniquely re-energizing and inspiring experience. Whether you are interested in a deep-dive master class in contemporary dance, a figure drawing session, or simply wish to support a women-owned, socially sustainable, and rigorous arts organization in Southern Vermont, The Field Center provides a rare and valuable opportunity for cultural enrichment and professional development. It is truly a model for contemporary arts education in the region and beyond.

The Field Center

61 Williams Rd, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, USA