A non-profit arts organization for New Prague
An independent non-profit arts organization created to promote the arts, provide scholarships to fine arts students and provide family entertainment options for the New Prague community and area.
The New Prague Arts Foundation (NPAF) was created in the fall of 2024 when Den and Sandy Gardner created an independent, non-profit arts foundation that wasn’t connected to any public entity in the community. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization.
Its goal is to create programs and events to benefit New Prague residents interested in the arts. It is governed by a 13-person board of directors representing leaders throughout the community.
These are the 2025-2026 programs being produced/managed by the NPAF:
Music at Memorial. The annual summer concert series held for the past three years at The Broz begins June 11 and runs through July 23 at Memorial Park. The arts council, previous producers the first three years, decided to end its involvement in early 2025. The city and music enthusiasts encouraged our new organization to take over. Thanks to our sponsors and bands’ availability, we were able to accomplish that goal – and were thrilled to do it.
British Invasion II. This successful event last year at New Prague Golf Club returns July 18 with several acts – Little Chicago, The Smisek Brothers, Gil Hernandez/Randy Fierst, Tim Price and others. Concert features hit songs from British Invasion artists of the 1960s – The Beatles, Petula Clark, The Dave Clark Five, The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits and more artists. A silent auction will also raise money for the foundation.
Scholarship Program for NPHS. There is currently no secondary scholarship program recognizing/focusing on excellence by fine arts students at NPHS. The NPAF, beginning in 2025-2026 school year, will offer $10,000/year in scholarships to NPHS students in fine arts areas. These will be managed through the New Prague Area Education Foundation. The first winners will be selected in the spring of 2026.
Christmas in New Prague. The very successful Christmas holiday show at the Park Ballroom returns in December at the New Prague Golf Club with four of the six major performers returning – Randy Fierst, Bill Halverson, Dan Gardner and Den Gardner. The shows are Dec. 7-14 (except Dec. 13). All major sponsors are returning for this nostalgic return to Christmas in the past from the 1950s and 1960s.
Grants to small arts organizations. Small arts organizations around the New Prague community are eligible for small grants from the NPAF.
Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Programming. The NPAF will assist the new outdoor performance facility in New Prague in years to come with programming at the site. It will be a resource for the city, which will own the facility, for the summer music concert series and hopefully other acts and activities for young and old at POPS.
If you are interested in learning more about the New Prague Arts Foundation and being part of its exciting future, contact chair Den Gardner at: dengardner@gandgcomm.com. Cell: 612/325-3981.