Promoting the Arts!

Welcome to the
Willmar Area Arts Council

In 1997, a group of citizens responded to an incentive from a COM-PAS and Blandin Foundation partnership to build stronger support and appreciation for creative arts in the Willmar area. Along with financial support from the Minnesota Rural Arts Initiative (RAI), the City of Willmar, Willmar Public Schools, a development grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC), and membership fees, the Willmar Area Arts Council officially came into existence in the fall of 1997 and became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity in 1998.

Since its inception, the Willmar Area Arts Council has been a visible advocate for the arts in West Central Minnesota. Besides providing the rotating exhibits in the Willmar Education and Arts Center, administering the Arts in the Schools project for the Willmar Public Schools and hosting themed, invitational exhibits in the Barn Theatre’s mezzanine gallery that run in conjunction with the current production, it is the force behind the popular Studio Hop.

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Upcoming Events

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Past Events

April 2023

The Andrew Brothers

April 22 @ 7:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every day that begins at 7:00pm, repeating until April 22, 2023

The Barn Theatre, 321 4th St SW
Willmar, MN 56201 United States + Google Map
$25

"The Andrew Brothers" is the play at the Barn Theatre.  Tickets are $25 adults/$15 children.

Find out more »

The Andrew Brothers

April 23 @ 2:00 pm - 12:00 am
|Recurring Event (See all)

An event every day that begins at 2:00pm, repeating indefinitely

The Barn Theatre, 321 4th St SW
Willmar, MN 56201 United States + Google Map
$25

"The Andrew Brothers" is the play at the Barn Theatre.  Tickets are $25 adults/$15 children.

Find out more »
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Council Happenings

Studio Hop 2023

The 2023 Studio Hop is scheduled for June 16 and 17.  We’re planning a great event with more artists and studios than last year.  Updates will be posted here.

Hope to see you at the Hop!

Fitness Court

With help from a grant from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota, Willmar will construct the first Fitness Court in the state this summer!   The Fitness Court will be built in Sperryville Park on Hwy 71 across from Robbins Island.  Sonja Madsen from Willmar was selected to create the art for the Court.  Watch for it!

New Board Members

At our February Board meeting, we elected Mary Pieh as our new President.  We also elected a new Board Member, Connie Mattke, retired teacher.  We welcome her to our Board.  We’re still looking for more members!

If you are interested in helping us promote the arts in West Central Minnesota, please contact us!

Janet Olney – 235-8560 or willmararts@gmail.com

Benches

We’re pleased to announce that a fifth bench has been completed.  The bench is in front of the Willmar Public Library.  Besides this latest one, there are four others – one in front of the Barn Theatre, one in front of Rositta’s, one in front of Midtown Market and the fourth in front of the Health and Human Services Building.  Unfortunately, we are no longer able to get the benches made so we have decided to put the completed tiles on the concrete slab the City poured for us in front of the hospital.  We’re planning to have that completed this summer.  We’ll keep you posted here.

 

 

 

 

 

Childhood

The next play at the Barn Theatre is “Matilda,” and we will have a themed, invitational exhibit titled “Childhood” in the mezzanine gallery the month of June.  Artists may submit up to three works of art, any medium.  All 2D work must have a wire on the back for hanging.  There is a $5 charge per work for Arts Council members, $7 for non-members.  All work needs to be delivered to the Barn Theatre by noon, Monday, June 5, 2023.   There will be an opportunity to vote for your favorite work of art and the winning artist will receive $50.   Please contact the Arts Council for an entry form.

 

Bonnie Smith's Exhibit

Bonnie Smith’s artwork is featured at the Bird Island Cultural Center for the month of May.  She will be honored at a reception May 20 from 1:00 to 3:00 at the Center.

Future Exhibits at the Barn Theatre

We will be hosting an invitational exhibit at the Barn Theatre for their upcoming plays.  The plays, themes, and due dates for the next three plays are:
“Matilda” – theme “Childhood” – due date June 5, 2023
“Who’s in Bed with the Butler” – theme “What Money Can’t Buy” – due date July 31, 2023
“Four Old Broads” – theme “Wild Women” – due date Sept 18, 2023
Hope you see your work!!