A New Home for Black Artistry

Castle of our Skins Announces New Performance Venue and Workspace 

Castle of our Skins' team from left to right Ruben McFarlane, Kelley Hollis, Ciyadh Wells, Brandie Garcia, Ashleigh Gordon, Rachel Styles.

Castle of our Skins is thrilled to announce that the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture has awarded Castle of our Skins, a Boston-based Black arts institution celebrating cultural curiosity and Black artistry through music, education, and community-driven initiatives, a new performance venue and workspace at 566 Columbus Avenue in Lower Roxbury/South End. This affordable commercial space is restricted to nonprofit ownership in perpetuity, ensuring that the location remains a vital cultural resource for the city for generations to come.

This award marks a significant milestone in Castle of our Skins' 11-year history as a champion for Black artistry in Boston. Through a competitive public process, COOS successfully secured the space, which will be purchased for the symbolic price of $1. The organization will be responsible for the build-out, operating expenses, real estate taxes, and other associated costs.

“This announcement, made just following our 11th birthday, is a monumental step forward for Castle of our Skins”, said Ashleigh Gordon, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Castle of our Skins. “This new space represents not just growth for our organization but also a permanent home where we can continue to elevate Black artistry and build community connections in Boston for years to come.”

The 2,491-square-foot space, located at 566 Columbus Avenue in Boston’s Lower Roxbury/South End neighborhood, is in the historic jazz corridor and on the site of the former Harriet Tubman House. With its new role as the home of Castle of our Skins, the space will continue the legacy of cultural connection and Black artistry in the community.

The new home and performance venue for Castle of our Skins, named “Gold Hall,” will host performances, artist residencies, educational workshops, and community events, ensuring that Black creativity remains at the forefront of Boston’s cultural landscape.  

To celebrate the historic sale, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) and Castle of our Skins will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony with a short performance by Castle of our Skins’ musicians on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.

The space will officially open in 2027, following extensive renovations. COOS will also launch a capital campaign early next year to raise funds for the build-out of the venue, transforming it into a welcoming and vibrant cultural center.

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For more information on how to support the capital campaign or get involved, click the link above or email Dr. Ciyadh Wells at ciyadh@castleskins.org.