History

The Lawrence County Arts Council (LCAC) is a not-for-profit organization that began in December of 2001 and was organized by Lawrence County citizens interested in providing cultural experiences for residents of the county of all ages.  Being a rural community, opportunities for cultural enrichment are limited, especially for the youth of the county.

Residents interested in promoting the arts in Lawrence County met in December of 2001 to begin exploring how to start an arts council.  Information was obtained from the Illinois State Arts Council, as well as information from the Arts Council in Olney, Illinois, which had been in existence for over 20 years.  A Board of Directors and officers were elected in January of 2002, and by-laws were written and approved in April 2002.  Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Illinois Secretary of State.  The LCAC received its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) corporation from the IRS in July 2002.

The overall objective the LCAC is to enrich the community by providing quality, cultural activities and opportunities for county residents.  The Council’s goals focus on providing opportunities to those who are unable to travel outside of the rural area that is the location of this county, as well as providing experiences to the children and youth of the county.