WHO WE ARE

Two people sitting and kneeling next to a brick well, with a tire swing hanging behind them and balloons in the background.

A COMMUNAL GATHERING PLACE.

Front Porch Arts Collective creates Black-centric theatrical experiences that reckon with the world as it is and imagine what it could be.

Driven by the lack of professional opportunities for artists of color, particularly Black artists, and a calling to address racial inequities within Boston’s theatre landscape, artists Maurice Emmanuel Parent and Dawn M. Simmons co-founded the Front Porch Arts Collective (The Porch) in 2016. The Porch was born out of a desire to rewrite Boston’s cultural narrative, a city long marked by visible segregation in the arts and chronic under-representation of communities of color. The “Porch” moniker evokes the spirit of a communal gathering place, a space for dialogue, reflection, and joy, where Black people are centered and all communities are invited to take a seat, share stories, and be seen.

Two performers sit on stage, laughing and enjoying a moment together. The woman on the left raises her index finger while the man on the right leans forward, showing expressive faces. The stage background is dark with vertical wooden panels.

VALUES

COMMUNITY. We nurture relationships grounded in mutual care, collaboration, and accountability, and welcome everyone in building a world worthy of us all.

ARTISTRY. We commit to skillful execution, meaningful expression, and ongoing growth and learning as artists.

CULTURAL STEWARDSHIP. We are today’s griots, preserving and advancing the richness of Black cultural traditions, stories, and creative practices.

IMAGINATION. We cultivate curiosity, wonder, and the freedom to envision and share new stories and possibilities beyond what currently exists.

LIBERATION. We claim the fullness of our humanity - bold, complex, joyful, and unapologetic - in the face of oppressive systems and limiting narratives.

LOVE. We cherish the inherent dignity and value of Black people and our allies as a pathway to collective healing, uplift, and transformation.

Four young people stand in a classroom, engaged in conversation. Two are facing each other in the center, one male wearing a black hoodie and one female with long braided hair. The third person, also male with braided hair, is to the right and facing them. The fourth person, a female with long dark hair, stands behind them, observing. Classroom desks and chairs are visible, along with backpacks, books, and classroom decorations.
Two women sitting on a black wrought iron bench, surrounded by a vibrant, colorful, starry digital art background. One woman with curly hair is wearing a white top, and the other with short hair is wearing a black jacket and striped shirt. They are close to each other, smiling and talking.
A woman in a white dress with puffy sleeves is joyfully singing or performing on stage with her arms raised. Another woman is seated at a piano in the background, with a table holding a glass pitcher and glasses in front of her. The scene appears to be a theatrical performance or concert.
Two women embrace each other in a cozy, decorated living room. One woman has dark hair and is wearing a burgundy coat, while the other has curly hair with a patterned top and jeans. The background features framed photographs and a modern kitchen area, with colorful cushions on a wooden sofa and a vibrant rug on the floor.
Two actors on a stage with American flags hanging on the sides and in the background. One actor is kneeling and the other standing, both in period costumes, with a dimly lit scene.

VISION

A world where Black people are loved, celebrated, and at home.

The Front Porch Arts Collective is 501c3 Non-profit organization.