Today we’d like to introduce you to Louise Kennelly.
Hi Louise, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Frederick Arts Council’s Sky Stage began as a vision to transform a historic downtown Frederick building into a vibrant home for the arts. This pre-Revolutionary War building was damaged by a major fire in 2010 and has no roof. In September 2016, the plywood boards on the doors and windows were removed to reveal Sky Stage. The Frederick Arts Council took on the project to preserve the historic space while creating a unique venue where artists, performers, and the community could come together.
Since opening, Sky Stage has grown into a beloved outdoor arts and entertainment venue, hosting live music, theater, dance, festivals, community events, and other creative experiences. Its distinctive open-air setting in the heart of downtown Frederick makes it unlike any other venue in the area.
Today, Sky Stage continues to bring people together through the arts, providing opportunities for local and visiting artists to share their work while creating memorable experiences for the Frederick community. It has become an important part of Frederick’s cultural landscape and reflects the Frederick Arts Council’s commitment to making the arts accessible, vibrant, and deeply connected to the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Sky Stage began with the challenge of transforming a historic, pre-Revolutionary War building that had been severely damaged by a major fire in 2010 and left without a roof. Preserving the character and history of the building while making it safe and functional as a public arts venue required creativity, collaboration, and ongoing care.
Operating an open-air venue also comes with its own challenges, particularly unpredictable weather, maintenance, and the logistics of hosting a wide variety of events in a historic space. Over the years, Sky Stage has continued to adapt and evolve while staying true to its original vision.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Frederick Arts Council is proud of its project Sky Stage which plays an important role in giving artists a place to share their work while giving the community a place to enjoy it. We’ve taken a historic building that was once damaged and without a roof and transformed it into a vibrant cultural destination in the heart of downtown Frederick.
What sets FAC’s Sky Stage apart is the space itself. There is truly nothing quite like experiencing a performance surrounded by historic architecture and an open sky. Sky Stage blends history, art, and community in a way that creates an experience that can’t be replicated in a traditional indoor venue. Additionally, the performances that we have each year are so unique with something for everyone!
FAC’s Sky Stage has earned many national awards and recognition. Honors include the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network (PAN) Year in Review Award, recognizing it among the top 50 public art projects in the country; Sky Stage was also a recipient of an NEA Our Town grant and received recognition through the CODAworx International Art & Design Competition. The City of Frederick Historic Preservation Commission’s Community Leadership Award; and a Frederick County Sustainability Award. It was featured by the National Governors Association at their Annual Meeting and in their Publication on Innovative economic drivers.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5–10 years, we expect the arts and live entertainment industry to continue becoming more community-focused, flexible, and experiential. Audiences are looking for more than simply attending a performance, they want to feel connected to the artists, the space, and the people around them.
We also expect non-traditional venues to continue growing in popularity. Spaces like Sky Stage offer something that traditional venues cannot: an experience that feels intimate, spontaneous, and connected to the surrounding community.
For Sky Stage, the future is about continuing to evolve while preserving what makes the space special, its history, its open-air setting, and its ability to bring people together through the arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.skystagefrederick.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sky_stage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyStageFAC/
