About Us
Dedicated to preserving Lowell’s past, enhancing its present, and building its future. Through the restoration of the historic Smith Baker Center, we will create a vibrant space where arts, culture, and community come together to celebrate the city's rich history and diverse identity.
Preserving the Past
At the heart of our mission is the rehabilitation of the Smith Baker Center, originally built as the First Congregational Church in 1884-1885. Designed by renowned architects Otis A. Merrill and Arthur S. Cutler—the same team behind Lowell City Hall—the building is a stunning example of historic architecture, featuring a one-of-a-kind auditorium-style sanctuary with near-perfect acoustics. By restoring this landmark, we are protecting a vital piece of Lowell’s history while giving it a new life as a hub for creativity and innovation.
Enhancing the Present
Lowell has long been a center for industry, immigration, and artistic expression. The LCA will serve as a dynamic gathering place where artists, entrepreneurs, and community members can connect, collaborate, and create. By providing access to state-of-the-art performance venues, professional resources, and shared creative spaces, we aim to support local talent and strengthen the city’s cultural and economic landscape.
Building the Future
The LCA will be a multifaceted community hub, offering:
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A Premier Performing Arts Center & Concert Hall – Home to the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra and an array of theater productions, concerts, and community ensembles. Includes practice rooms, classrooms, and recording studios with afterschool music and arts programs.
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Co-Working Spaces – A collaborative hub for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, providing professional resources in a dynamic, creative environment.
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Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen – Supporting restaurateurs, caterers, and food truck operators with an accessible space to grow their businesses.
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Café & Cabaret Space – A transformative venue that transitions from a daytime coffee shop to an evening lounge and performance space for local musicians and artists.
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Gallery & Museum Spaces – Featuring rotating exhibits showcasing local artists and historical collections, preserving and promoting Lowell’s rich artistic heritage.
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Artist-in-Residence Programs & Studios – Providing dedicated spaces for artists, writers, and performers to develop their work while engaging with the community.
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Rooftop Green Spaces & Community Gardens – Featuring pollinator-friendly and vegetable gardens, offering educational and sustainability-focused programs.
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The Lowell Center for the Arts is more than just a venue—it is a catalyst for creativity, economic growth, and cultural unity. By investing in this vision, we are shaping a future where everyone has access to the transformative power of the arts.
Meet Our Team
Preserve, Enhance, Build.
Dedicated to supporting meaningful community impact, they bring a thoughtful blend of creativity, organization, and a genuine passion for helping others. Their work focuses on strengthening outreach, uplifting local voices, and ensuring every project reflects the mission of the organization. They approach each initiative with care, collaboration, and a commitment to positive change.
Chief Executive Officer
Owen Kelly
A longtime Lowell resident, Owen is the Founder and Executive Director of Allies in Music Education, an arts nonprofit working to strengthen cultural understanding and combat injustice through music. Committed to community development and the belief that knowledge is power, Owen is building his organization into a leading arts instructor in Lowell.
President
Christine McCarron
A real estate broker and investor with a 35-year career, Christine has led numerous projects, including the Beehive Community renovation in Tyngsborough. As Owner/Operator of A Woman’s Touch Home Renovation, she has managed budgets over $950,000, and as a Project Manager and Subject Matter Expert at ACI Worldwide, she oversaw multimillion-dollar,
security-focused projects.
Vice President
Bruce Macaulay
An expert in the restoration of historic homes, his work at the Hoyte Estate in Lowell was a cover story for Victorian Homes Magazine. Bruce has three decades of experience as Retail Operations Manager for Winchester Hospital, and has also served as a board member at the Lowell Association for the Blind for over twenty years.
Treasurer
Dennis McCarthy
An architectural planner and designer who previously served as Vice President of Design and Architecture for PDA Associates. A knack for strategic, site, and master planning has bolstered Dennis’ specialty experience in crafting state-of-the-art retail, corporate, industrial, and healthcare properties that can be found throughout New England.
Secretary
Dr. Bradford R. MacGowan, Ed.D
​An independent researcher specializing in Lowell’s history, Brad is a retired public school counselor with three decades of experience. A former Lowell Historical Society board member and current Secretary of Cambodia Town Lowell Inc., he has also helped immigrants gain English proficiency through the Massachusetts Literacy Volunteers Program.
Marketing
Rhondyna Reth
A design graduate of Middlesex Community College, Rhondyna is continuing her studies at UMass Lowell. She interns with Cambodia Town Lowell Inc. and previously worked at The Brush Art Gallery and Studios on various media projects. Proud of her Cambodian heritage, she uses art to connect with her culture and its traditions.
Board Member
Carol Keirstead
A seasoned team leader with over 40 years of program management experience, Carol has held leadership roles with the Angkor Dance Troupe, the Indochinese Refugees Foundation, the Philippine Refugee Program, Middlesex Community College, and Lowell Public Schools. Her work has taken her all across the country.
Board Member
Ginny Burnham
A skilled organizer and researcher, Ginny has lived in Lowell for over five years and grown deeply connected to the Merrimack Valley. She founded the Lowell Chess Club and actively supports Lowell City of Learning and the Lowell Litter Krewe, helping make the Mill City a smarter, healthier place to live.
Marketing Intern
Tyler Pongkham
Tyler is a senior at UMass Lowell working toward a BFA in Graphic Design. He supports LCA through event photography, social media content creation, and refining their digital presence.
Marketing Lead
Cameron DaCosta
A UMass Lowell design graduate and growing photographer, Cameron blends his fascination with architecture into both his freelance work and his role as a label artist for High Limb Cider—where his designs have helped boost sales. His interest in historic buildings has also granted him rare legal access to unique, typically inaccessible sites like Lowell’s Saint Jean Baptiste Church.