About Flywheel -

Flywheel is a non-profit, volunteer-run booking collective run by artists for artists, offering:

Live music
Art exhibits
Film & video screenings
Poetry & spoken word
Theater & performance art
Fun and games
… and more!

Flywheel is a place for countless types of artistic expression, where people can come and create, have fun, and exchange ideas. Run as a collective, Flywheel is not “owned” by anyone, but operates with everyone’s support and dedication.

Flywheel Mission Statement

Flywheel, a collectively run, not-for-profit space, aims to build community and give artists of all types the opportunity to craft, practice, and perform their work in an environment where creativity is valued over profit. Volunteer-run and governed by consensus, Flywheel believes that art and information should be equally accessible and affordable to all people.

Flywheel’s Origin

In the spring of 1998, Cindy Bow and Helen Harrison founded Valley Arts and Music Alliance (VAMA), a grassroots collective in which artists would help each other produce free, all- ages shows that reflected the their own creative visions rather than the values of the music industry establishment. VAMA attracted like-minded people, most of whom were already doing similar things in their own homes, church and dorm basements, record stores, VFW halls, and any other place they could find. Together the group produced over two-dozen shows through December of 1998, when a friend and supporter found a permanent space in Easthampton – a long-vacant cabinet store owned by a local Palestinian-born doctor named Shawki Kanazi. For many years, Dr. Kanazi leased the space to Flywheel, rent free, as he supported our efforts to bring low cost art to Easthampton.

As word of the space spread, more people joined, and Flywheel was born. Our doors opened in March of 1999. Since then, the unique expressions of countless artists continue to transform the space from day to day. In 2007, we decided to leave our home of 8 years at 2 Holyoke St. and relocate to Easthampton’s historic Old Town Hall at 43 Main St. In December of 2020 we left Old Town Hall and now program events at unconventional spaces around Western Mass. Over the years, some old friends have moved on while new ones have joined us, but the vision remains the same.

Interested in joining the collective, volunteering your time and talents? Visit these pages below for more info: