ArtYard develops its exhibitions and programs through its internal curatorial process and relationships with invited artists, curators, and organizational partners. Because of this, we do not accept unsolicited portfolios, proposals, or other unsolicited materials for consideration for exhibitions, residencies, or live performance programming. Please note that sharing your work with us does not put it under consideration for future programming, and we cannot review or respond to unsolicited submissions.
If ArtYard has an open call or other opportunity for artists to participate, we will share it through our website, mailing list, and social media.
ArtYard invites residency artists through its internal curatorial process and through relationships with artists, curators, and organizational partners. We do not accept unsolicited residency applications or proposals.
If ArtYard offers an open call for a residency or other artist opportunity, we will share it through our website, mailing list, and social media.
ArtYard is not a general-purpose event rental venue, and we do not routinely rent our theater, galleries, or other spaces for private events or outside programming.
We primarily use our spaces for ArtYard exhibitions, performances, residencies, community programs, and events developed internally and in collaboration with artists and organizational partners.
We occasionally consider space-use requests that align with ArtYard’s mission and programming. If you have a specific collaboration or partnership in mind, you are welcome to contact us with details about your proposed project. Please note that submitting a request does not guarantee availability or approval.
ArtYard’s galleries are open Thursday from 11 AM to 7 PM and Friday to Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. We are closed Monday to Wednesday.
ArtYard is also closed to the public on Juneteenth, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Please check our website before planning your visit for holiday hours and special closures.
Yes! Admission to ArtYard’s galleries is always free. No ticket or reservation is required to visit our exhibitions during regular gallery hours.
Tickets are generally required for performances in the McDonnell Theater and for some special programs. Check individual event listings for ticketing and registration information.
Visitors are welcome to park in ArtYard’s designated visitor parking lot at 7 Lott Street adjacent to the building for the duration of your visit. You can find information on public parking in Frenchtown here.
ArtYard is committed to providing a welcoming experience to all who visit and offers services to make our exhibitions and programs as accessible as possible.
Our gallery and theater are wheelchair accessible via the main river-facing entrance, and all levels of the building are accessible by elevator. Designated areas are available in the theater for wheelchair users who wish to remain in their wheelchair, as well as for those who prefer to transfer to a theater seat. Designated accessible parking spaces are available in ArtYard’s parking areas, and all restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Braille signage is available throughout ArtYard, including in elevators, restrooms, stairwells, and at emergency exits.
Service animals are welcome. Please contact us in advance so we can be prepared for your arrival.
Accessibility needs and questions can vary, so we encourage visitors to contact us before their visit at 908-996-5018 or [email protected]. We are happy to answer questions and help you plan your visit.
Yes. ArtYard offers campus tours on the first Sunday of every month from May to November. Check our online events calendar to register for an upcoming tour.
We offer gallery tours and guided walkthroughs of our galleries and campus for school groups and interested visitors on Wednesdays and other dates by request. To schedule a tour, please email [email protected].
Tickets are required for ticketed performances and some special programs. Check the individual event listing for ticketing and registration information. Some free programs may also ask visitors to register in advance.
ArtYard doors generally open 30 minutes before the start of the performance. ArtYard’s galleries are generally open.
McDonnell Theater doors generally open 15 minutes before the start of the performance.
General admission seating in the McDonnell Theater is first come, first served. The theater features stadium-style seating, with rows of seats descending toward the stage.
We recommend arriving early if you have a preferred seating location. Theater doors typically open 15 minutes before the scheduled performance time, unless otherwise noted.
The top row in the theater is available for wheelchair users who wish to remain in their wheelchair and their companions, as well as for those who prefer to transfer to a theater seat. If you wish to use this seating area, please select “Accessible Seating” when purchasing your ticket. If these tickets are not sold, they become available to the general public.
For guests who would prefer to sit in the first row, we may also be able to provide access to the theater directly from the first row on a case-by-case basis.
If you have questions about seating or would like to discuss an accessibility need before your visit, please contact us at 908-996-5018 or [email protected]. We are happy to help you choose the seating option that works best for you.
Tickets are valid only for the event, date, time, and seat indicated on the ticket. Artists, dates, times, venues, seating arrangements, and programs are subject to change. Ticket purchases made online or by phone may be subject to handling or service fees. Fees may also apply to tickets purchased at the box office.
Ticket purchases are generally non-refundable, except when a performance is canceled. If ArtYard cancels a performance, ticket holders may choose either a refund or to use their tickets for the rescheduled performance.
Yes. If you can no longer attend a performance, you may give your ticket to another person. Please email [email protected] with the name and email address of the new ticket holder so we can update our records.
Ticket transfers do not qualify for a refund or credit.
ArtYard generally locks our doors 15 minutes after the start time of performances. We recommend arriving 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled start time.
To avoid disrupting artists and other audience members, late seating may be delayed until an appropriate break in the performance. The timing of late seating varies by artist and performance.
Food and beverages are not permitted inside the theater.
Backpacks, suitcases, and bags (excluding handbags) may not be taken into the gallery or theater. They must be left at coat check or at our front desk. ArtYard reserves the right to inspect backpacks, suitcases, and bags when being checked. In some instances, ArtYard may require the inspection of all handbags and cases at point-of-entry to the gallery and/or theater lobbies.
As a courtesy to both the artists and other audience members, please silence cell phones and messaging devices and refrain from electronic communication at all times during performances.
Photography, video, and audio recording are not permitted during performances unless ArtYard has given prior written permission.
Some ArtYard programs may be photographed or recorded by ArtYard or its designated photographers, videographers, or production staff. Please see our photography and filming policy below for more information.
ArtYard and its photographers and videographers may photograph or record programs and events for documentation and promotional purposes. By attending an ArtYard event, you consent to being photographed or recorded and to ArtYard’s use of that material.
If you have questions or concerns about photography or filming at a particular event, please speak with a member of our staff when you arrive.
Food and beverages are not permitted inside the gallery or theater.
ArtYard does not have a formal dress code policy. We encourage individuals to dress in layers as we typically keep the inside temperatures on the cooler side for the comfort of the artists and performers.
Backpacks, suitcases, and bags (excluding handbags) may not be taken into the gallery or theater. They must be left at coat check or at our front desk. ArtYard reserves the right to inspect backpacks, suitcases, and bags when being checked. In some instances, ArtYard may require the inspection of all handbags and cases at point-of-entry to the gallery and/or theater lobbies.
As a courtesy to both the artists and other audience members, please silence cell phones and messaging devices and refrain from electronic communication at all times during performances.
To protect the health, safety, and comfort of clients, employees, customers, and visitors of ArtYard, our entire campus is smoke-free. Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Smoking and secondhand smoke are known causes of lung disease, heart disease and cancer. ArtYard recognizes the hazards caused by tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. No use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarettes, is permitted within the facilities or on the property of ArtYard at any time. “Property” means the organization’s facilities “curb to curb,” including offices, grounds, adjacent sidewalks, parking lots/ramps, company owned vehicles, and employee vehicles parked on owned or leased property.
Yes, the name of our store is Contrary Art Shop and it is located in the lobby of our building. More details can be found here.
Yes! To upgrade your membership, call 908-996-5018 or contact [email protected].
Benefits begin immediately upon joining.
Memberships are partially tax-deductible. The estimated value of goods and services associated with membership donations ranges from $40 to $100. You will receive an acknowledgement letter with the corresponding tax-deductible value of your donation.
