About Us

Mission Statement

The Willmar Area Arts Council will:

• Promote and support the arts in the Willmar area.
• Communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with arts organizations
  in the Willmar area.
• Serve as a fund-raising organization and an overall clearinghouse for arts activities in the Willmar Area.

Goals

• Facilitate community financial support for arts organizations and groups.
• Conduct a yearly fundraising event to showcase the arts and pursue other on-going fundraising activities.
• Maintain a registry of local artists.
• Communicate arts activities by means of local and electronic media.
• Continue to support the collaborative efforts with the Willmar Public Schools.
  

We accomplish most of our work through committees, feeling that our best support and encouragement to the arts community will be through the work of many hands focused around specific tasks. If you have an interest in helping with any of these committees or volunteering for other areas of need please feel free to contact us at 231-8560 or email artscouncil@willmar.k12.mn.us . Membership dues start at $35 and can be sent to Willmar Area Arts Council, PO Box 165, Willmar MN 56201

Watch the Arts Calendar for special events.
Watch for the Annual Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! in September. Artists in Our Schools continues to be a great way for kids to be exposed to outside artists and for the artists to have a chance to educate and exhibit.

Executive Committee-Comprised of the officers. Prepares the budget, oversees the paid staff person, and makes other necessary decisions between board meetings. Reviews applications and makes recommendations to the board for local artist or groups requesting funding from WAAC.

Art in the Schools Committee-Arranges for artist in residency programs in the school. May initiate other educational opportunities for the community.

Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! Committee-Plans and implements Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! in September of each year.

Exhibition Committee-Plans monthly exhibits in the Willmar Education & Arts Center Gallery June through December. This includes the Small Works Silent Auction during November each year. May develop other venues for artists to show or sell work.  School students exhibit January through May.

Fundraising Committee-Coordinates fund raising activities through-out the year to be used for specific Willmar Area Arts Council needs.

Membership Committee- Recruits new and maintains continuing members in the Willmar Area Arts Council through an annual membership event and drive in March or April.

Public Information Committee-Publishes a quarterly newsletter in March, June, September and December.

Studio Hop-Plans the two-day artist studio tour that covers the Willmar, New London & Spicer area of Minnesota.  Artists will open their studios to the public to show their workspaces provide demonstrations and feature works for sale.

WEAC Maintenance & Enhancement Committee-Works to maintain and improve the building & grounds of the Willmar Education & Arts Center.

Workshop Committee-Coordinates art opportunities for area citizens.  It also maintains a mentoring program connecting students/adults wanting to learn with artists willing to teach them.