Arts Central
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Arts Central
313 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr.
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 317-9324
Arts Central, the regional arts and culture council of Central Oregon, builds an appreciation of the arts through education and advocacy and encourages the inclusion of the arts in all aspects of community life. Arts Central accomplishes our mission through four programs: The Art Station, Arts in Education, Mirror Pond Gallery, and as the Oregon Arts Commission designated regional arts council for Central Oregon.
Mon -Thu 1 to 5 pm
Fri 9am to 1 pm
Dates:
Details
The story of
Arts Central is the story of a grassroots organization. In 1975
a group of Central Oregonians felt the need for a united effort
to support the arts in the region and formed the Central Oregon
Arts Society, which received its non-profit status in 1978. In
the beginning, they met monthly in alternating locations in
Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson County, with each meeting
featuring an educational art program. Their purpose was to be
an arts voice for their 100 plus members, other arts groups,
and the public. They also served as a communications agent
between the Oregon Arts Commission and the local community.
From the start their interests encompassed and supported the
visual, literary and performing arts. The volunteer group
published a monthly newsletter, produced a regional arts
directory and provided the chambers of commerce with listings
of area arts organizations.
In 1976 they founded what is now known as the Bend Summer Festival and co-sponsored the event with the Bend Metro Parks and Recreation District. They also founded “Art Hop”, a semi-annual evening celebration of the arts in downtown Bend retail stores. As there was no showcase for local artists, they installed exhibits in banks, city halls and the Central Oregon Community College.
The group’s long-range goal had always been to establish an arts center, and in 1992 they finally seized the opportunity to do so. An historic 1907 craftsman bungalow house on the Mirror Pond in downtown Bend was slated to be demolished. The community, still smarting from the demolition of the historic Pilot Butte Inn a few years prior, drew a line in the sand and took action to save the derelict home, known as the Allen-Rademacher house. The Committee to Save the House joined forces with the Central Oregon Arts Society to renovate the home for use as a much needed community arts center. Rising to the challenge of raising funds and the person-power to renovate the structure motivated the arts group to re-organize and change their name to the Central Oregon Arts Association (COAA).
