About the Redfern Arts Center

Named in honor of Dr. Leo F. Redfern, Keene State College President from 1969-79, the Redfern Arts Center was inaugurated in 1981 with the goal of providing unforgettable artistic encounters for the campus and community. Dr. Redfern’s vision, commitment, and eloquence on behalf of the arts made the funding and construction of the facility a reality. Now in its 40th year, the Redfern Arts Center has reaffirmed its mission and values and continues to serve as an artistic beacon for the Monadnock Region of Southwest New Hampshire and the broader New England area.

Mission

The Redfern Arts Center collaborates with students, faculty, staff, artists, and the community to spark creative exchange that inspires culturally rich engagement with the performing arts.

From our multi-venue home at Keene State College, we:

• Strengthen the student experience through diversified programming, artistic residencies, and creative scholarship that enriches the performing arts curriculum.
• Produce, present, and support a range of performances and cultural offerings. Collaborate as active Keene State citizens to promote and facilitate access to the Redfern.
  
  

Values

• Creative Exchange:

  We believe creativity is a critical component of a balanced and rich life.
  We know artistic engagement and creative exchange give rise to a balance of body, mind, and character that emphasizes mutual responsibility for community and shared lives.

• Academic Engagement:

  We commit to the Keene State College Student Learning Outcomes.
  We value and support the performing arts curriculum to cultivate an artistic lens that brings our ever-changing world into focus.

• Collaboration:

  We believe in the power of working together.
  We see collaboration as a conduit to creativity in fostering respectful interaction, responsibility, commitment to inclusion, deep listening, and appreciation of diversity in all forms.

• Public-Spiritedness:

  We are steadfast in the belief that the arts serve communities.
  We maintain the arts as an essential part of the health and well-being of all communities in their ability to champion human dignity, celebrate life’s wonders, and provide a roadmap to a hopeful future.

• Accountability:

  We believe in transparency, resource sharing, and fiscal responsibility as integral to innovation and community building.
  We commit to the students, faculty, staff, and community to demonstrate leadership in our role of creative placemaking in the Monadnock region.