BETHLEHEM, Pa. — By this time next year, ArtsQuest will be close to the grand opening of its new cultural center.
On Tuesday, the nonprofit gave a sneak peek of what's to come inside the $32 million Creative Factory.
The five-story, 78,500-square-foot facility will replace the Banana Factory as a hub for creativity and learning.
The presentation, led by ArtsQuest Director of Education and Outreach Lisa Harms and Manager of Education & PCA Programs Joanne Garcia, offered an inside look at the building’s exterior and interior design as well as an overview of new classes and programming.
Each floor of the Creative Factory, framed by handmade brick, glass and steel to echo the neighborhood's historic and industrial roots, is designed to foster creativity, connection and collaboration, Harms said.
Larger galleries, bar, retail space
On the first floor: a bright, glass-walled welcome center with multiple entrances, including on Northampton and Third streets.
The ground floor will house a bar offering small plates and drinks, a comedy theater that seats up to 150 people, and two galleries.
The new galleries will feature polished concrete floors, neutral tones, and exposed fixtures to create an industrial yet minimalist backdrop that allows the artwork to stand out, according to Harms.
The larger gallery connects from the main entrance to the bar area, for a natural flow during events and exhibitions.
A smaller gallery will focus on showcasing student artwork and community collaborations, with movable walls that can be reconfigured to suit different exhibitions and maximize the use of natural light.
There also will be a flexible maker space with woodworking and metalworking equipment, created in partnership with Northampton Community College’s Fab Lab, and an expanded hot-glass studio with outdoor seating for live demonstration.
“We really wanted this floor to feel alive from the street."ArtsQuest Director of Education and Outreach Lisa Harms
“We really wanted this floor to feel alive from the street,” Harms said.
“Whether it’s a school group arriving on a Tuesday morning or a First Friday crowd coming for an opening, people will be able to see creativity in motion the moment they walk in.”
Additionally on the ground floor, a dedicated retail space is designed to highlight the work of local and regional artists.
The shop will offer visitors the opportunity to buy handmade ceramics, glass pieces, jewelry, prints and other unique creations made on-site or by members of the ArtsQuest community.
The goal, according to Harms, is to “create a space that celebrates the talent within our region and connects visitors directly to the artists behind the work.”
Classroom spaces, artist studios
On the second floor: Flexible classrooms and studio spaces for painting, jewelry and mixed media, plus a space dedicated to early childhood and after-school programs in partnership with Bethlehem Area School District.
The second floor will house an early education space for programs such as Storytime, Music & Movement, and visual arts sessions for young creatives.
Two flex classrooms will accommodate a range of activities —from summer camps to adult art classes — while an expanded sensory area will offer both a quiet room for calm engagement and a more interactive space for hands-on exploration.
While the cost of classes is not yet available, Garcia said financial aid and tuition assistance will be available for both youth and adult programs.
One of the most exciting additions, according to Harms, will be the artist studio corridor, which will house 36 studios in varying sizes, all offered at a subsidized rate below market value — less than $2 per square foot.
“Each studio will have natural light and access to shared amenities like sinks and lounge space,” Harms said.
“We wanted to create an environment where artists can work side by side, collaborate and inspire the next generation of creators.”
A shared gallery lounge will connect the studios, encouraging interaction between resident artists, visiting students and the community during events.
Martin Guitar Recording Studio, digital lab
On the third floor: A blend of traditional craft and cutting-edge technology.
This level will more than double the organization’s ceramics footprint, featuring dedicated classrooms for wheel throwing and hand building, as well as a rental studio where independent artists can reserve time to create their own work, Harms said.
It will support spaces such as a glazing and kiln room, along with a fusing and mosaics classroom, and allow for expanded hands-on learning and community workshops.
In addition to ceramics, the floor will introduce a new digital production lab — developed in partnership with the Bethlehem Area School District.
There, students in the Communications Pathway program will be able to create media content.
Adjacent to it, the Martin Guitar Recording Studio and a digital classroom equipped with Macs and iPads will give both students and community members access to professional-grade production tools for recording music and podcasts.
Like the floor below, the third floor also will include more artist studios and a shared gallery lounge.
Classrooms, volunteer space
On the fourth floor: of the ArtsQuest Creative Factory will continue to expand the building’s creative and educational offerings, combining flexible classrooms, specialized studios and dedicated support spaces.
The floor will feature printmaking and fiber arts classrooms equipped with the tools and machinery needed for hands-on learning.
The jewelry classroom has been expanded, and a darkroom will provide space for photography-based and printmaking projects.
Additional artist studios and ArtsQuest offices will round out the floor, ensuring both creative and administrative functions have ample space.
A notable addition is a volunteer workspace, funded by Cindy and Chuck Yeoman providing a dedicated area for year-round volunteers to support the organization through tasks like prep work and event support.
Roof deck event space with sweeping views
On the fifth floor: Perhaps the most scenic place in the venue will be the fifth floor.
Before Tuesday's event, Harms and Garcia were able to see the view — via constructed stairs — of the top floor, which will feature sweeping views of the SteelStacks campus on the roof deck, which will house a pre-event area for gatherings.
ArtsQuest programming ideas for the rooftop include a Fourth of July party.
The floor will feature a warming kitchen to support catered events, with food likely prepped on lower floors and brought up as needed.
The main event space will be flexible, capable of holding events as diverse as proms — one already is booked for 2027 — and community celebrations and arts-related functions.
Large glass curtain walls bring in natural light while offering adjustable shading, and the brick exterior echoes the historic character of the surrounding neighborhood, Harms said.
Early next year, ArtsQuest will invite artists to submit proposals for three new murals and sculptures to be installed in the first-floor lawn and green space.
Grand opening late 2026
The new cultural hub will house ArtQuest's signature programs, including the Improv Comedy Festival and Poetry Out Loud, plus a new Fire Arts Festival that will highlight glass arts, along with events such as Rosé All Day.
According to Garcia, the programming also will feature seasonal highlights, including the People’s Ball in May, summer art camps, a mural fest, Musikfest, an arts education week in September, classes during Oktoberfest and a holiday art market.
The Creative Factory will continue Arts Smart, a free program for elementary and middle school students, and Teen Takeover, offering hands-on arts experience and career readiness opportunities.
Additional programs will include art programs for seniors, art therapy and partnerships with groups such as the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem Area Public Library.
Overall, the Creative Factory will let ArtsQuest double its programming footprint.
The construction is expected to be completed in late 2026, and Harms estimated that ArtsQuest staff may start moving in furniture, art and other items as early as next August.
The building will feature recycled materials from the original site and bilingual signage throughout.
When complete, it’s expected to serve more than 200,000 visitors annually and bring hundreds of jobs to Bethlehem.
