MoCo Arts

For families and aspiring artists across Keene, New Hampshire, and indeed the broader Granite State, MoCo Arts stands as a vital and transformative hub for arts education. This family-centered nonprofit organization is dedicated to "Transforming Lives Through Movement and Creative Expression." More than just a place to learn dance steps or memorize lines, MoCo Arts cultivates confidence, fosters teamwork, and ignites a lifelong passion for the performing arts in students ranging from 6 months to 18+ years. If you're looking for an environment where creativity thrives and every child is encouraged to shine, MoCo Arts is a cherished local gem.

Established in 1991 as The Moving Company Dance Center, MoCo Arts has grown significantly, evolving into a comprehensive performing arts center. This growth, culminating in their move to a state-of-the-art 17,000 sq ft facility in downtown Keene, reflects their unwavering commitment to the community. As one parent enthusiastically shared about their child's summer camp experience, "My daughter attended MoCo summer camp 2024 she thoroughly enjoyed the program, and it was fun to watch her performance on stage. We had very pleasant experience and strongly recommend." Another review highlights the positive impact on children, noting how performances build "confidence and teamwork in each one of them!" The consistent theme of support and positive development resonates deeply with local families.

MoCo Arts believes that high-quality arts education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or financial status. Their commitment to inclusivity is demonstrated through substantial tuition assistance programs, ensuring that more New Hampshire children can experience the joy and benefits of dance and theatre. This dedication makes MoCo Arts not just an educational institution, but a cornerstone of community enrichment, empowering the next generation of creative thinkers and confident individuals.

MoCo Arts is centrally located at 40 Roxbury St, Keene, NH 03431, USA. This prominent address in downtown Keene places the performing arts center at the heart of the city, ensuring excellent visibility and easy accessibility for residents throughout Keene and the wider Monadnock Region of New Hampshire. Keene is a vibrant city known for its rich cultural scene and community engagement.

The studio’s location on Roxbury Street, a well-trafficked area, makes it straightforward to find and reach by car. For individuals commuting from surrounding towns such as Swanzey, Marlborough, Troy, or even from further afield in New Hampshire, the drive to MoCo Arts is generally efficient. The facility itself, opened in 2018, boasts a 17,000 sq ft state-of-the-art space, designed for optimal learning and performance. It includes professional-quality studios equipped with Roscoe Reversible dance floors, Kiwi sprung floor systems, full-length mirrors, ballet barres, and complete sound systems. The facility is also fully climate-controlled for comfort.

In addition to the studios, MoCo Arts features The Founder's Theatre, a 2500 sq ft black box theatre with professional lighting and sound systems, and Wenger StageTek risers for audience seating with up to 200 capacity. The facility also includes a Green Room, dressing rooms with showers, storage, offices, and a beautiful lobby. While specific parking details may vary, the downtown location typically offers nearby public parking options. This comprehensive and well-equipped facility, combined with its central location, makes MoCo Arts a highly practical and desirable choice for New Hampshire locals seeking top-tier performing arts education and entertainment.

• Dance Programs: A variety of classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern Dance. Programs are offered for all skill levels, from beginners through advanced, and for ages starting from 6 months up to 18+ years.
• Theatre Programs: Award-winning theatre programs offering classes in Musical Theatre, Straight Theatre, and specialized Theatre Workshops. Students engage in acting, singing, and stagecraft.
• Young Arts Program: Specifically designed to introduce very young children (starting as young as 18 months) to the exciting worlds of theatre and dance through engaging and age-appropriate activities.
• Multi-Arts Camps: Comprehensive day camps offered during summer and school vacation weeks (e.g., C.A.K.E. and CupCAKE summer camps, "Schools Out" one-day camps). These camps focus on singing, dancing, playing, and acting, often culminating in a student-created performance.
• Performance Experience: Provides professional performance experiences for students at their black box, The Founder's Theatre on Roxbury Street, as well as other stages, including the Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College.
• Tuition Assistance: Offers significant financial aid (up to $80,000 per year) to ensure arts education is accessible to all students, regardless of financial background.
• Educational Outreach Programs: Extends arts programming to daycare centers, schools, community centers, gyms, and other area organizations, fostering broader community engagement.
• Community Stars Seats Initiative: Designed to bring children and families to shows who might otherwise not be able to afford to attend, promoting inclusivity in audience participation.
• Private Lessons/Workshops: While not explicitly listed as a standard offering, many performing arts centers provide opportunities for individualized coaching or specialized workshops based on demand.

• Inclusive and Nurturing Environment: MoCo Arts is praised for its "inclusive, nurturing, supportive atmosphere" that welcomes all students, from beginners through advanced, wherever they are in their creative arts journey. This is consistently highlighted in testimonials by parents and students alike.
• Experienced Artistic Staff: Under the direction of a highly-regarded and experienced artistic staff, students receive high-quality instruction and mentorship. Teachers are described as "phenomenal."
• State-of-the-Art Facility: Located in a 17,000 sq ft modern arts education center, featuring professional-quality dance studios (with Roscoe Reversible dance floors and Kiwi sprung floor systems), a black box theatre (The Founder's Theatre), dressing rooms with showers, and a spacious lobby.
• Comprehensive Arts Education: Offers a wide array of programs in both dance (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern) and theatre (Musical Theatre, Straight Theatre, Workshops), providing a well-rounded artistic development.
• Focus on Confidence and Teamwork: Reviews emphasize how performances and participation build "confidence and teamwork in each one of them," going beyond just technical skills to foster essential life skills.
• Significant Community Engagement: Actively involved in the Keene community through school residencies, community classes, local productions, and partnerships with organizations like Keene Housing Kids Collaborative, offering free classes to underserved children.
• Abundant Performance Opportunities: Students have numerous chances to perform in their own Founder's Theatre and other local stages, providing invaluable practical experience.
• Accessibility through Tuition Assistance: A strong commitment to making arts education accessible to all, providing substantial tuition assistance, which is a major benefit for New Hampshire families.
• Positive Student and Parent Testimonials: Reviews consistently praise the positive experience, the enjoyment of performances, the friendly staff, and the transformative impact MoCo Arts has on students' lives, helping them become "more outgoing" and "confident."

Address: 40 Roxbury St, Keene, NH 03431, USA

Phone: (603) 357-2100

For residents of Keene and across the beautiful state of New Hampshire, MoCo Arts stands as an invaluable and highly recommended resource for performing arts education. What makes this nonprofit organization particularly suitable for our local community is its unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent in an environment that is not only professional and high-quality but also deeply inclusive and supportive.

The genuine enthusiasm expressed by parents and students in their reviews underscores MoCo Arts' ability to deliver on its mission of "Transforming Lives Through Movement and Creative Expression." The positive impact on children's confidence, teamwork, and overall well-being is a consistent theme, demonstrating that the benefits extend far beyond the stage. With award-winning programs in both dance and theatre, a state-of-the-art facility, and a dedicated, friendly staff, MoCo Arts provides a top-tier artistic experience right here in Keene.

Moreover, MoCo Arts' significant tuition assistance program and extensive community outreach initiatives ensure that arts education remains accessible to all New Hampshire families, regardless of their financial situation. This commitment to inclusivity, combined with abundant performance opportunities and a focus on holistic development, makes MoCo Arts a true cornerstone of our local cultural landscape. For New Hampshire locals seeking to empower their children through the magic of dance and theatre, MoCo Arts is undoubtedly the premier destination.

MoCo Arts

40 Roxbury St, Keene, NH 03431, USA