Three years in, Nashua Center for the Arts “Exceeding Expectations”

NASHUA, NH – Three years after its grand opening, the Nashua Center for the Arts (NCA) is “exceeding expectations,” according to the city’s Administrative Services Director Tim Cummings.

According to Cummings, the idea of having a performing arts center in downtown Nashua had been circulating since the ’80s during Mayor Jim Donchess’s first term as mayor before a coordinated effort began around 2016. 

“Sometimes the stars need to align and I think that there was some good momentum that built,” said Cummings, who was the city’s Economic Development Director at the time. “There was strong local support by some of the downtown leaders that helped, the community came together along with some of the city’s professional staff that really was able to help and shape an idea so it could be implemented.” 

With the performing arts center, Cummings said the city first and foremost wanted to stabilize the downtown. In Spring 2026, Alec’s Shoes relocated, which was going to leave a void in the downtown. As downtowns were shifting from retail centers to arts and entertainment districts as seen in other downtown redevelopments, a performing arts center was a way to fill that void.

Sandy Clearly Community Art Gallery

“We’ve been able to see the benefits of that with various restaurants coming in and out of the downtown and not seeing a lot of vacancies in our smaller storefronts in [and] along Main Street,” Cummings said. 

According to the annual community benefits report, NCA has had a significant impact on the community from an economic standpoint, particularly with downtown restaurants, retail, and parking. Restaurants have reported a significant increase in business related to events at the center, which results not just in increased revenue for the restaurants, but increase in staffing levels, tips paid to servers, meals tax revenue, among other impacts. 

The city reorganized and raised parking rates and saw the biggest difference on nights and weekends, which is when NCA largely operates, driving parking activity with patrons, employees, and artists.

According to NIVA’s – National Independent Venue Association – Music Venue Economic Impact calculator, NCA had a regional economic impact of $3,593,761.

“2025 reinforced the NCA’s role as a vital hub for community life,” said Pete Lally, president of Spectacle Live in an executive summary letter to the NCA Board of Trustees. “We continue to serve as a premier venue for non-profit and educational gatherings."

Nashua Center for the Arts second annual Arts Ball

NCA has funded several events, with the help of Spectacle Live, at no cost to attendees, such as Pete the Cat to more than 900 Nashua public school second graders, and The Navy Pops Ensemble, according to NCA Board of Trustees chair Rich Lannan. On April 13, 650 first graders will come to see Click Clack Moo. 

Initiatives for the center in 2026 include rebounding rental event volume – which saw a dip in 2025 but are anticipated to rebound with new relationships with producers and event planners – and more creative sourcing of events.

An event such as La Sanse, for example, which was locally produced by Spectacle Live along with other local partners, represents a model that can bring additional events to the center, according to Lally. 

Nashua Center for the Arts during winter stroll. (Courtesy photo)

Another initiative is to activate additional spaces, such as the third floor and by further utilizing NCA’s capability of being a “general admission,” open floor set up, and to expand their marketing tools. 

“Not only is [NCA] meeting [expectations], it is exceeding all of the expectations,” Cummings said. “We are really fortunate to be in the position that we’re in and are really pleased with how the building and performing arts center is doing.”