The Bower: Montserrat College of Art’s New Hub for Arts, Enterprise, and Collaboration in Beverly

Montserrat College of Art announces the launch of The Bower, a 36,000-square-foot creative arts complex at 248 Cabot Street. Spanning three floors, the new facility will serve as a dynamic hub where students, faculty, visiting artists, and creative professionals can connect, collaborate, and showcase their work across disciplines. The Bower will anchor the Beverly Arts District, bringing individuals, organizations, established entrepreneurs, and innovative start-ups from across the North Shore together under one roof. 

The Bower features affordable artist studios, galleries, performance venues, offices, common areas and spaces for nonprofits and creative business ventures alike. 

“Fostering a vibrant, dynamic arts community in the heart of Beverly’s downtown is aligned with Montserrat College of Art’s mission,” said President Brian Pellinen. “The Bower will serve as both an incubator and creative ecosystem where education, entrepreneurship and the arts will flourish side by side.”

The building’s top floor offers more than thirty affordable artist studios, a gallery, and lounges where artists and makers can connect organically. A second gallery and meeting rooms are the centerpiece of the first floor along with administrative offices reserved for local nonprofits— such as Beverly Main Streets and The Cabot— and spaces suitable for creative businesses including student-run ventures established through Montserrat’s Center for Career Design and Creative Enterprise. On the lower level, a flexible space will host concerts, dance and theatrical performances, and community events throughout the year.

According to Michael Kerr, the College’s Creative Enterprises Founding Director, Montserrat will work in partnership with students to develop, launch and operate a variety of businesses at The Bower, from advertising agencies and design firms to animation studios and production companies.

“Like Montserrat, The Bower resides at the intersection of education, enterprise and artistic expression,” said Kerr. “This building will be a place where students can see, hear, and experience the business of creativity. We believe this incredible facility will help transform Beverly into the regional leader in the arts economy.”

Montserrat College of Art will host an open house at The Bower on Saturday, November 15 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in conjunction with Beverly Main Streets’ annual Downtown Art Crawl. The event will feature a gallery reception, live art making, performances, art installations, open studios, and tours. For more information contact [email protected]