Worcester Public Schools elementary orchestra performing at The Prior

Community Partners

The Prior is proud to be a part of the vibrant and dynamic arts community of Worcester, MA. Read below to learn more about the growing list of organizations we are delighted to work with regularly.

Music Worcester, Inc.

Historic arts presenter Music Worcester produces an annual season of live performances featuring world-renowned orchestras, soloists, chamber music ensembles, ballet, world music and dance, jazz, and choral masterworks throughout the finest performance halls of Worcester and Central Massachusetts.

Multiple educational programs currently serve youth and families of greater Worcester: masterclasses by visiting artists, Tickets to Opportunity, Festival Singers, in-schools residencies, and the Young Artist Competitions. Integral to Music Worcester’s annual operations, The Worcester Chorus has been part of the organization since the very first concert season in 1858.

Worcester Chamber Music Society

Hailed as a group with imagination, style and chops, the Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS) took the Worcester, Massachusetts scene by storm with its initial concert in 2006. It has become a recognized cultural presence within the Greater Worcester area by presenting sold-out concerts to captivated audiences, receiving consistent critical acclaim, building new young audiences, and training rising musicians through both its Neighborhood Strings and Summer Music Camp programs.

WCMS brings world-class chamber music to intimate Greater Worcester venues and nurtures the community through a unique combination of affordable concerts, education and community engagement.

Broadway in Worcester

Broadway in Worcester, founded in 2022 by Worcester native Eric Butler, is committed to providing Central MA’s audiences with the opportunity to see Broadway’s most celebrated talents perform locally. Additionally, Broadway in Worcester seeks to partner with talent who have a demonstrated commitment to arts education. We embrace the opportunity to collaborate with those artists who support mentoring and stewarding the future generation of theater artists.

The inspiration for Broadway in Worcester was formed in 2015, while Butler was serving as Director of Development at his alma mater, Saint John’s High School. Following years of investing, producing, and collaborating with some of the industry’s most illustrious producers of Broadway, national tours, and international productions, Butler formally launched Broadway in Worcester in March 2022 with a sold-out performance by Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti and acclaimed musical director and pianist Billy Stritch at the Jean McDonough Art Center’s Brick Box Theater.

The Village Worcester

In September 2020, the Stone Soup Artist/Activist Collective and Community Resource Center transitioned into The Village, a new Afrocentric cultural, learning, & healing center in the Main South neighborhood of Worcester, MA.

The Village builds grassroots power by connecting BIPOC groups, healers, and individuals whose work is rooted in racial justice, learning, creativity, community, & healing.

 

 

 

 

YWCA Central MA

For over 135 years, the YWCA Central MA has been a steadfast advocate and positive force for women, girls, families, and communities. As one of the oldest and most impactful organizations, the YWCA is dedicated to breaking barriers, fostering equality, and creating a brighter future for all. By leveraging the power, passion, and commitment of its members, supporters, and volunteers, the YWCA works tirelessly to create meaningful and lasting change across Central MA and beyond.

At the core of its mission is its unwavering commitment to eliminating racism and empowering women. The YWCA provides safe, inclusive spaces where women and girls can find support, resources, and opportunities to thrive. Through innovative programs, leadership development, and advocacy for women’s and civil rights, the YWCA strives to build a community where everyone can live with dignity, opportunity, and hope for a just and equitable tomorrow.

Worcester Public Schools elementary orchestra rehearsing at The Prior