Archive Of Contemporary Music To Move Permanent Collection To Ridgefield

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Archive of Contemporary Music has selected Ridgefield as the future home of its permanent collection and operations, with plans to move into 650 Danbury Road, the former Schimenti building.

The archive, known as ARC, is relocating from New York state and closed in late July on its purchase of the two-story, 18,000-square-foot commercial property, according to the release. The organization anticipates opening in 2028.

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ARC describes itself as America's largest archive dedicated to popular music and contemporary recorded sound. Its collection includes more than 3 million sound recordings spanning more than 3,000 musical genres, as well as photographs, books, magazines, videos, sheet music, memorabilia and other historical materials documenting recorded music since 1945.

In Ridgefield, ARC plans to house its archival collection and develop public programming, including rotating exhibitions, listening experiences, lectures, educational programs and community events.

"Ridgefield offers exactly the kind of community where ARC can grow for generations," B. George, ARC co-founder and director, said in the release. "We're excited to become part of the town's extraordinary arts community and to create a place where people can discover, experience, and celebrate music together."

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Gov. Ned Lamont said ARC's decision to make Ridgefield its permanent home reflects Connecticut's commitment to creativity, innovation and cultural preservation.

"We are proud to welcome this extraordinary institution to Ridgefield, and look forward to the inspiration it will bring for generations to come," Lamont said.

First Selectman Rudy Marconi said the town is proud to welcome ARC to Ridgefield.

"Their arrival not only strengthens our commitment to preserving recorded musical history, but also highlights the value we place on innovation and responsible stewardship of our past," Marconi said. "We're excited for the opportunities this partnership will bring to our residents and to future generations."

Marconi said the Route 7 location, just north of Route 35, is convenient and could be an asset for that area.

Bob Knight, chair of the Ridgefield Economic and Community Development Commission, said ARC's selection of Ridgefield reinforces the Route 7 Northern Gateway as an emerging economic hub.

The commission expects an economic impact when the space opens, including visitors to local inns, restaurants, stores and cultural institutions. He said the commission will continue to support Route 7 corridor upgrades, including shared public spaces, infrastructure improvements and safer traffic flow.

ARC also plans to become involved in the Ridgefield community through public programs such as interactive music exhibits, oral history projects, lectures, family activities, dance events and partnerships with local arts and cultural organizations, according to the release.

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ARC's Board of Advisors includes Jellybean Benitez, Youssou N'Dour, Q-Tip, Keith Richards, Nile Rodgers, Todd Rundgren, Fred Schneider, Martin Scorsese, Paul Simon and Mike Stoller.

George, a producer, record label founder and music historian, first released Laurie Anderson's single "O Superman" on his independent One Ten Records label. His personal collection of 47,000 recordings became the basis for ARC's library of more than 3 million sound recordings.

The archive's holdings include rock, jazz, roots music and pop, as well as American collections of Cuban, Colombian, Indian, Jamaican and African music, according to the release.

The Ridgefield building will also house the office and recordings of Afropop Worldwide, a Peabody Award-winning public radio program and multimedia platform. Its more than 40,000 recordings, together with ARC's 7,000-disc African collection, will form what the release describes as one of the world's largest collections of African and African diaspora music.

Another collection preserved at ARC is Keith Richards' Blues Collection, which includes more than 21,000 recordings, according to the release.

The Ridgefield Economic and Community Development Commission said it will continue working with ARC, state and local partners, and the Ridgefield community during the transition.