The Center for Arts in Natick

The Center for Arts in Natick, generally referred to as TCAN and pronounced “tee-can,” is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community arts organization based in Natick, Massachusetts. Established in 1997, it presents music, theatre, comedy, film, arts education and family programming for audiences in Natick and surrounding MetroWest Boston communities. The organization has developed from a small volunteer-supported coffeehouse into a multidisciplinary cultural venue occupying Natick’s historic former Central Fire Station. Founder and founding director Michael Moran initially envisioned TCAN as an informal cultural and social gathering place in Natick Center. The organization began in a small storefront at 31 Main Street, with seating for approximately 60 people. Its early schedule emphasized local participation: open-mic events for singer-songwriters, a weekly jazz jam, small community-theatre productions and exhibitions by local visual artists. Additional programs later broadened the audience to include teenagers, families and classical-music listeners, including all-ages rock shows, a classical series and performances for young children. Volunteers played a central role in staffing events, promoting programs and supporting fundraising. Seeking a larger and more permanent home, TCAN purchased Natick’s historic Central Fire Station from the town in October 1998. The building had been constructed in 1875 after a major 1874 fire and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A restoration costing approximately $2.5 million adapted the structure for cultural use while preserving important architectural features. Work included structural reinforcement for a roughly 4,000-square-foot performance space, restoration of windows and masonry, installation of a new roof, reconstruction of the hose-drying tower’s cupola and restoration of the building’s historic arched fire-bay entrances. The expanded venue opened as a performing-arts center in May 2003 with approximately 270 seats. TCAN’s programming now combines nationally touring and locally based artists. Concerts span folk, blues, rock, contemporary music, jazz, fusion and classical music. The organization also operates TCAN Players, a community-theatre troupe that typically produces three public productions each year, with auditions open to the community. Its Young Masters Series showcases emerging classical musicians, while the Folk Open Mic continues the participatory tradition of the organization’s early years. A 2016 renovation added the TCAN Screening Room, a 120-seat digital cinema used for classic films, documentaries, feature films and other screenings. The organization has pursued partnerships to expand cultural access and strengthen Natick’s arts ecosystem. Collaborations have involved the Danforth Museum, Walnut Hill School, The Verve Boston Natick, Belkin Family Lookout Farm and local social-service organizations. Through Smile in Every Seat, TCAN works with community partners to provide free access to programming for economically disadvantaged residents and families. Its programs, classes and performances collectively attract more than 30,000 patrons annually, with more than 300 events and activities reported in a typical year. TCAN is governed by an elected volunteer board and supported by full-time and part-time staff as well as a large volunteer corps. Leadership changed in 2004 when the board hired David Lavalley as executive director and ended Moran’s tenure, a decision that generated local controversy and prompted some volunteers to leave. Lavalley subsequently led the organization for more than two decades and was named executive director emeritus when Erin Basile was appointed the organization’s third executive director, effective January 1, 2026. TCAN remains an active regional nonprofit arts presenter and an anchor institution in the Natick Center Cultural District.

TCAN was founded in 1997 by Michael Moran, who imagined a small coffeehouse-style venue where artists and residents could meet, perform and build an informal cultural community. Its first home was a storefront at 31 Main Street in Natick Center. With only about 60 seats, the venue depended heavily on volunteers and initially focused on open mics, jazz jams, local theatre and visual-art exhibitions. Its schedule expanded to include youth rock concerts, classical performances and family events. As attendance and programming grew, the organization sought a permanent facility. In October 1998, it purchased Natick’s former Central Fire Station, a historic building constructed in 1875 after the town’s 1874 fire. The conversion required extensive restoration and modernization. A steel beam made it possible to use approximately 4,000 square feet as a performance area, while restoration work addressed the roof, windows, masonry and historic fire-bay doors. The hose-drying tower’s cupola was later reconstructed by volunteers using donated materials. The restored building opened in May 2003 with seating for roughly 270 people. Soon after the move, TCAN’s board appointed David Lavalley executive director in March 2004, replacing Moran. The transition was controversial locally and some volunteers departed, but Lavalley went on to lead the organization for approximately 22 years. Under its board-and-volunteer governance model, TCAN developed into a multidisciplinary regional arts center presenting more than 300 events, classes and performances annually and serving more than 30,000 patrons. The organization’s activities include touring concerts, community theatre, comedy, classical music, family programming and arts education. TCAN Players provides a recurring community-theatre program, while the Young Masters Series focuses on young classical performers and Folk Open Mic maintains an open-access performance tradition. In 2016, TCAN expanded beyond live performance by adding a 120-seat digital screening room for films and documentaries. TCAN has also used partnerships to broaden its reach. It collaborated with the Danforth Museum beginning in 2008 and with Walnut Hill School beginning in 2013. Since 2012, it has worked with The Verve Boston Natick on live music events, and in 2021 it extended programming outdoors through a partnership with Belkin Family Lookout Farm. Its Smile in Every Seat initiative, developed with local social-service and United Way partners, provides free program access to economically disadvantaged residents. The venue has received preservation, cultural-facility and community awards, and it has been identified as an important cultural anchor of the Natick Center Cultural District. In 2024, Lavalley received the John R. Heerwagen Award for Nonprofit Leadership from the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation. Erin Basile was appointed TCAN’s third executive director effective January 1, 2026, while Lavalley became executive director emeritus.

• 2026

  Third executive director takes office

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  Erin Basile becomes executive director, and David Lavalley is named executive director emeritus.

• 2021

  First outdoor live-music event

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  TCAN partners with Belkin Family Lookout Farm for an outdoor concert featuring Carbon Leaf.

• 2016

  Screening Room added

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  A renovation adds a 120-seat digital cinema for film screenings.

• 2013

  Walnut Hill School partnership

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  The organizations agree to share resources, facilities and expertise in support of arts programming and long-term sustainability.

• 2008

  Danforth Museum partnership

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  TCAN and the Danforth Museum announce a partnership intended to expand programming and member benefits.

• 2003

  Restored venue opens

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  The adaptive-reuse project is completed and the expanded TCAN performing-arts center opens with approximately 270 seats.

• 1998

  Purchase of the Central Fire Station

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  TCAN purchases Natick’s historic former Central Fire Station for conversion into a larger arts venue.

• 1997

  TCAN is established

  [1]The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org

  Michael Moran establishes the nonprofit organization and opens its first small venue in Natick Center.

A volunteer-supported regional cultural center that combines touring entertainment, community-created performance, arts education and historic-place stewardship in an accessible nonprofit venue.

• Music performance · 1997

  Live Concerts

  TCAN presents touring and local musicians across folk, blues, rock, contemporary, jazz, fusion and classical styles. Concert programming is a core part of the organization’s identity and combines nationally recognized acts with regional performers.

• Community theatre

  TCAN Players

  TCAN Players is the organization’s resident community-theatre troupe. It generally presents three productions each year, with auditions open to the public and productions recognized through Eastern Massachusetts community-theatre awards.

• Classical music

  Young Masters Series

  The Young Masters Series showcases talented young classical musicians from around the world and gives emerging performers a dedicated presentation platform within TCAN’s broader program.

• Cinema · 2016

  TCAN Screening Room

  Added during the 2016 renovation, the 120-seat digital screening room presents new releases, documentaries, classic films and other art-house or repertory cinema programming.

• Participatory music program · 1997

  Folk Open Mic

  Folk Open Mic provides a recurring stage for singer-songwriters and musicians across genres, continuing TCAN’s original role as an accessible platform for local artists.

• 2021Outdoor live music at Belkin Family Lookout Farm

  South Natick · MetroWest Boston

  TCAN partnered with Belkin Family Lookout Farm to present its first outdoor live-music event.

  Outcome. The inaugural event featured Carbon Leaf and broadened TCAN’s ability to present music in an outdoor setting.

  Source
• 2012The Verve Boston Natick concert partnership

  Natick · MetroWest Boston

  TCAN began collaborating with The Verve Boston Natick to produce live music events at the hotel’s Route 9 location, extending its programming beyond its main venue and presenting touring artists.

  Outcome. The partnership hosted performances by artists and groups including Eddie Money, Loverboy, 10,000 Maniacs, The Smithereens, Lisa Marie Presley, Vertical Horizon and The Tubes.

  Source
• Smile in Every Seat

  Natick · Surrounding communities

  TCAN works with Natick Service Council, South Middlesex Opportunity Council and United Way of Tri-County to make its programming available without charge to economically disadvantaged people and families.

  Outcome. The initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers to participation in local arts and entertainment.

  Source

• 2026

  Appoint Erin Basile as executive directorOther

  Background

  David Lavalley’s long executive-director tenure was coming to an end.

  Action taken

  The board appointed Erin Basile as the third executive director, effective January 1, 2026, and named Lavalley executive director emeritus.

  Aftermath

  The appointment marked a planned leadership transition while formally recognizing Lavalley’s contribution.

  Source

• 2016

  Add a digital cinema venueProduct launch

  Background

  TCAN sought to broaden its use of the facility beyond live performance.

  Action taken

  A renovation added the 120-seat TCAN Screening Room.

  Aftermath

  TCAN expanded into recurring film exhibition, including documentaries, classic films and new releases.

  Source

• 2004

  Change executive leadershipStrategy

  Background

  Following the move to the larger venue, the board reassessed the organization’s leadership.

  Action taken

  The board hired David Lavalley as executive director and ended Michael Moran’s tenure as founding director.

  Aftermath

  The decision generated local controversy and some volunteers left, while Lavalley subsequently led TCAN for more than two decades.

  Source

• 1998

  Acquire and adapt the Central Fire StationStrategy

  Background

  The original 60-seat storefront limited TCAN’s ability to expand its schedule and audience.

  Action taken

  TCAN purchased Natick’s historic Central Fire Station and undertook a major restoration and adaptive-reuse project.

  Aftermath

  The restored building opened in 2003 as a larger, permanent performing-arts venue and became the organization’s long-term home.

  Restoration cost. $2.5 million (Restoration completed before May 2003)

  Source

1. 1The Center for Arts in Naticken.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Center for Arts in Natick official websitenatickarts.org