WHO WE ARE

In the early 1980’s, art education in the local public elementary schools had been eliminated due to funding issues and access to the arts was virtually nonexistent.  Understanding the importance of giving all people, children and adults alike, access to arts and culture—and wanting to keep art a part of the elementary curriculum—Bill Richards, a St. John’s Public School Board of Education member, formed a database of local retired artists who were interested in volunteering their time to teach art to the local elementary students. Through this effort, many members of the community recognized the need for additional resources, and better access to art programming. As a result, the decision to create the Clinton County Arts Council was made.

Bill, along with a group of local St. Johns residents and school teachers, created bylaws for the new organizations, and by 1986 the Clinton County arts council had officially become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For the past 37 years, the Clinton County Arts Council has served as a link between arts and cultural organizations and the community and supported individual creativity, cultural preservation and lifelong learning through the arts and will continue to make art accessible for people of all walks of life.

WHAT WE DO

The Clinton County Arts Council is dedicated to marrying arts and the community together through free or low-cost events and outreach activities. Our diverse range of events and programs focus on teaching, learning and appreciating the arts so that we can build and maintain a strong, creative and connected Clinton County.