ABOUT New England Art Center

New England Art Center (NEAC), is a new organization founded and led by Claudia Fiks, an art administrator with more than two decades of experience working in the art sector nationally and internationally.

Mission: Provide comprehensive support and resources to art practitioners and enthusiasts, foster knowledge exchange, career growth, and networking opportunities.

NEAC, LLC, is a membership-based organization situated within the vibrant SoWA Arts and Design District in Boston, MA.

NEAC offers various benefits designed to enrich its members’ artistic journey and art practitioners and enthusiasts about the art sector. From an exhibition space with opportunities to host workshops, classes, and lectures, NEAC provides diverse resources to support members’ professional growth and personal development. In addition, NEAC is a hub for art lovers to immerse themselves in the art world, meet and connect with people, promoting programs to inspire reflexive thinking in a fun and welcoming environment.

Exhibition opportunities through The Art Gallery (TAG) are a cornerstone of NEAC, providing a platform for artists to showcase and sell work, gain exposure, and bolster professional portfolios. These monthly exhibitions serve as avenues for personal expression and stepping stones for advancing careers within the art community.

NEAC educational programs are not just about skill refinement, they’re about personal growth. They include workshops, lectures, and classes tailored to artists of all levels, art practitioners, art enthusiasts, and the general public. These programs offer a space for art education, creative exploration, and most importantly, they empower individuals to expand their artistic horizons and hone their craft, inspiring them to reach new heights in their artistic journey.

In addition to practical skills, NEAC strongly emphasizes fostering intellectual growth through engaging lectures that are open to the general public. These thought-provoking discussions cover various topics relevant to the art world, from art history to contemporary trends, providing members and non-members with valuable insights and inspiration for their creative endeavors.

NEAC is a vibrant hub for networking and collaboration, fostering a supportive community where ideas are shared, collaborations are formed, and friendships are forged. Through these interactions, members can expand their professional networks and find camaraderie and encouragement, making their artistic journey all the more fulfilling.

ABOUT CLAUDIA FIKS

With over two decades of leadership experience in the arts and culture sector, Claudia has honed her expertise in guiding artists and nonprofits at both national and international levels. She excels in crafting and implementing strategies that drive impactful programs forward, with proficiencies spanning program development, project management, fiscal governance, community engagement, event coordination, and fundraising. Claudia's strength lies in aligning programmatic objectives with organizational goals and funding requirements, fostering robust networks involving community partners, funders, policymakers, artists, administrators, and board stakeholders. Her professional legacy is marked by transformative collaborations that propel organizational missions forward, surpass fundraising objectives, and cultivate vibrant artistic communities. As a steadfast advocate for inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility, Claudia is deeply committed to dismantling barriers to participation and addressing the evolving needs of communities and audiences. Her dedication serves as a guiding principle for promoting equality and enhancing engagement across various art forms and contemporary cultural landscapes. Beyond her leadership roles, Claudia actively contributes to the arts ecosystem as a curator of exhibitions, art reviewer, juror, and panelist for organizations and individual artists.

Current roles include:

  • Executive Director of Galatea Fine Arts Art Gallery
  • Correspondent writer for Artscope Magazine
  • Guided Tour for Art Nexus Magazine at Art Basel Miami, Basel, and The Armory Show NYC
  • Executive Director at Newton Open Studios, an annual art fair event held every spring, and independent curator
  • Art exhibition juror and grant panelist

Past Roles:

  • Development Director at the Society of Arts and Crafts
  • Director of Institutional Advancement and Development at Fuller Craft Museum
  • Program Director at the Elliot School for Fine and Applied Arts
  • Program Director at New Art Center, Newton

Claudia’s signature program, Sip & Chat, has been a beacon for artists and art leaders. In response to the unprecedented challenges posed by the lockdown in 2021, she demonstrated adaptability and resilience by initiating a virtual version of Sip & Chat, facilitating meaningful conversations among art practitioners on transitioning to new models and adapting to unforeseen changes. After successfully offering Sip & Chat virtually for 15 months, the program has now resumed in person, showcasing Claudia’s ability to navigate and overcome challenging circumstances.

Claudia’s second signature initiative includes an exhibition, Speak Up, which will be held in its third iteration at Piano Craft Gallery in November 2024. Additionally, she organized and curated The Alchemy of Art and Play at Piano Craft Gallery in February 2024, attracting hundreds of visitors. This exhibition transcends the confines of the exhibition space, inviting participants to embark on a transformative journey that embraces the synergy between creativity and play.