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Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center
Our programs give people with special needs the chance to explore and express their creativity in a non-competitive setting. To provide visual and performing arts education and cultural activities, to children and adults with special needs. Curriculums, created to meet our participants at their point of need, generate priceless amounts of self-confidence and cultivate independence on the floor of our dance studio, stage, or visual art spaces.

We believe that the more opportunities we can offer for creative expression, the greater the personal benefit for our participants. We open doors for people with special needs and facilitate their involvement in our community. Please join us in our efforts to make Huntsville & Madison County the gold-standard for diversity and inclusion in the state of Alabama.
Services
Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the historic Merrimack Mill Village neighborhood of Huntsville, Alabama. The 25,000 square foot building was originally built in 1898 and expanded in 1920 by the Merrimack Manufacturing Company, a large textile manufacturer who had two large textile mills and a thriving mill village in Huntsville.
Our mission is to provide visual and performing arts education and cultural activities, to children and adults with special needs. Merrimack Hall houses The Happy Headquarters, a visual and performing arts program for children, teens and adults with special needs. Our programs drastically improve the quality of life for people with special needs, as we work toward bringing the people we serve out of the shadows and into the life of our community.
Donating the spare change from your credit or debit card purchases allows us to create lasting change for our friends with special needs. Watch the short video to show how easily the RoundApp supports Merrimack Hall. Download the RoundUp App for iPhone or Android or use the Web Version, all completely free.
In over our ten years of operation, many foundations, corporations and individuals contribute to Merrimack Hall. We thank the following foundations and corporate sponsors who support funding to our performances and the Happy Headquarters. All donations are tax-deductible and directly contribute to our mission of making the arts accessible to all.
Merrimack Hall Performing Arts Center provides arts education and cultural activities to children and adults with special needs. Our students perform multiple times per year, and your donations provide costumes, professional lighting and sound to accompany them on stage. Our programs provide opportunities for our students to interact with their peers in a non-competitive setting, granting them self-confidence.
Reviews (9)
Sharon Shoulders
Sharon Shoulders
Feb 01, 2022
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Merrimack Hall has been a God-Sent to us. I drive my Daughter 45 minutes one-way twice per week, because she deserves the BEST. And that’s what Merrimack provides to her. They create the most giving community for each student. Their professionalism, humility and service goes above and beyond. When I drop her off for her sessions, as I drive away, my heart smiles.
Linda Mitchell
Linda Mitchell
Jan 18, 2022
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We first became a member of the Merrimack family in 2012. It’s just a place of opportunity, joy, and fulfillment. Thank you for this special little community you gave us!
Cynthia Sparks
Cynthia Sparks
Jan 18, 2022
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My daughter LOVES Merrimack!!!! The people are so kind and very patient with my girl ❤ I cannot possibly thank them enough for everything they have done and continue to do for my girl!!!!
Patrick OHare
Patrick OHare
Jan 13, 2022
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Merrimack Hall has been a saving grace for our special needs child. The staff is amazing. Our daughter has made so many friends. She has had social opportunities that she would never otherwise have. She is so excited to get to go to classes and the day program at Merrimack Hall.
It has also become a place for parents with similar challenges to share and meet each other.
I cannot emphasize enough what a blessing Merrimack Hall has been for our family.
Jmatus
Jmatus
Jan 13, 2022
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Merrimack Hall has been an absolute life saver for our family during the pandemic. Our daughter has been able to stay engaged with her Merrimack Family, safely, throughout the pandemic by participating in the large variety of virtual classes that Merrimack Hall has offered. My husband and I both work from home and spend the day in meetings on our computers. Our daughter has her own slate of meetings each day, giving her purpose and meaning to her day. Her whole daily schedule is arranged around her Merrimack classes. I don't know how we would have survived without Merrimack!
Phillip Rigsby
Phillip Rigsby
Feb 03, 2019
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Great venue to see small local shows. I got to see a dance performance here. Only 4 stars because they seemed to have lighting and sound issues. Not sure if these were house people or folks from the dance company. Seating was comfortable. Parking can be an issue.
Chris Sharpe
Chris Sharpe
Dec 02, 2018
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They have great shows in a small venue. Wish they'd do more shows. Does a wonderful job bring dance to special needs children and adults.
Elizabeth Duling
Elizabeth Duling
Feb 08, 2018
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There are no words to describe how amazing this place is! Truly a special opportunity for those in the Huntsville community with special needs and their families. So thankful our daughter is in the dance rogram
Frank Baker
Frank Baker
Jul 12, 2017
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A shining star in north Alabama. Philanthropists Allan and Debra Jenkins had a vision to transform a boarded up building in a neglected part of town into a performing arts center to rejuvenate the area. They used their own time, energy and finances to renovate the building and opened to the public in 2007.
After several years, Mrs. Jenkins, through a series of occurrences, realized that local children and adults with special needs can rarely, if ever, take performance art classes. My daughter, for example, tried a local performance art studio but didn't fit in because she wasn't intellectually