The City of Kingston, NY

    Welcome to the City of Kingston, NY

    Kingston, dating to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture, was the state's first capital, and a thriving arts community. City Hall is in the heart of the community at 420 Broadway, and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except July & August (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).  Come tour our historic City, with restaurants that are among the region's finest, and local shopping that promises unique finds.

    Historic Churches

    Kingston is home to many historic churches. The oldest church still standing is the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of Kingston which was organized in 1659. Referred to as The Old Dutch Church, it is located in Uptown Kingston. Many of the city's historic churches populate Wurts street (6 in one block) among them Hudson Valley Wedding Chapel is a recently restored church built in 1867 and now a chapel hosting weddings. Another church in the Rondout is located at 72 Spring Street. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1849. The original church building at the corner of Hunter Street and Ravine Street burned to the ground in the late 1850s. The current church on Spring Street was built in 1874.

    Kingston, NY

    Kingston became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British on October 13, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga. In the 19th century, the city became an important transport hub after the discovery of natural cement in the region, and had both railroad and canal connections.

    Kingston, NY

    The town of Rondout, New York, now a part of the city of Kingston, became an important freight hub for the transportation of coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania to New York City through the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This hub was later used to transport other goods, including bluestone. Kingston shaped and shipped most of the bluestone made to create the sidewalks of New York City.

     

    Contact Us

    City Hall Address:
    420 Broadway
    Kingston, New York
    12401

    Phone:
    (845) 331-0080
    Email:
    [email protected]

    The Kingston Arts Commission

     Members
     Lisa Kelley - Chair
    		   Richard Frumess
     Ward Mintz - Vice Chair   Sophie Landres
     DJ Brumfield - Secretary   Dina Suggs
     Lester Burg
    		   Cicily Wilson
     Cesar Castro    

     

     

     


    Mission

    The purpose of the Kingston Arts Commission is to advise the Mayor and Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs on the implementation of the City of Kingston’s Arts and Culture Master Plan, now in its third phase, and Public Art Policy/Municipal Art Collection Plan, now in its first phase. The Commission also advises the further development, implementation, evaluation, and potential modification of other municipal policies and legislation; serves to ensure that our area youth, artists, art organizations, art businesses, residents can equitably experience the benefits of this burgeoning arts economy; makes recommendations to the Mayor and the Common Council on the development of the City’s cultural hubs, and more.

    To contact the Kingston Arts Commission, or to make a request to be included on their agenda, please email [email protected]. 

    The Kingston Arts Commission meets at 4:30 PM on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Meetings are held at City Hall, and are open to the public. 

     

    Join the Kingston Arts Commission

    Commissioners serve a term of three years.There are currently no open positions at this time.

    THE KINGSTON ARTS COMMISSION IS CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS.

    The Kingston Arts Commission's membership strives to reflect the City's broad spectrum of artistic, business, and educational influences and cultural backgrounds.

    Interested parties may review the application online for future reference. 

     

    The Distinguished Artist Awards 

    The Distinguished Artist Award was established in 2018 through partnership with Mayor Steve Noble and the Kingston Arts Commission. The Distinguished Artist Award is a biennial award, which seeks to reward the achievements of local artists and creative thinkers. Nominees for the Distinguished Artist Award must have been a resident of Kingston for a minimum of two years. Nominees will have demonstrated a commitment to the local creative community. Awardees are selected by a panel of their peers, and are honored in a ceremony held at City Hall. The 2018 Distinguished Artist Award was presented to local artists Peter Wetzler and Julie Hedrick. The 2020 Distinguished Artist Award was presented to local musician Lara Hope. The 2022 Distinguished Artist Award was presented to Jaguar Mary X . The 2024 Distinguish Artist Award was presented to Matthew Pleva. 


    The Arts & Culture Master Plan 

    To learn more about the Arts & Culture Master Plan, passed unanimously by the City of Kingston Common Council in March, 2022, please visit Engage Kingston. 

    The Public Art Policy and Municipal Art Collection Plan

    To learn more about the City of Kingston's Municipal Art Policy and Collection Plan, passed unanimously by the City of Kingston Common Council in July, 2024, please visit https://engagekingston.com/municipal-art-plan-policy and take the Survey!

    Meeting Minutes & Meeting Agendas

    Listing files in 'Kingston Arts Commission'

    *Times are adjusted to the local time of the organization (GMT -5)

    Copyright © 2025 City of Kingston, NY. All Rights Reserved. Powered by Powered By QScend Technologies, Inc.
    Contact  |  Sitemap