What is the Palmer Arts Council?

The Palmer Arts Council is an independent, non-profit agency that supports arts and cultural activity. Our primary purpose is to encourage and advance the arts by increasing access to the arts through services, programs, and/or funding. We attempt to understand and respond to the community’s needs, and through collaboration, cooperation, and partnership with local government, the public schools, churches, other community non-profits, local businesses and individuals, building a strong support network for the artists and visionaries of the community.

Mission—

The Palmer Arts Council mission is to nurture, encourage, sponsor, and support the free expression of ideas in our community through the arts. We strive to support local artists, stimulate new programs for artistic expression, foster audience development, forge community partnerships, and seek financial support to ensure that our citizens have opportunities to experience the power of the arts as active participants, not just passive bystanders. Our emphasis is on locally produced arts and programs.

History—

The Palmer Arts Council was founded in 2005 by a group of Palmer citizens who believed the quality of life in their city could be greatly enhanced by an arts organization whose primary purpose was to serve as cultural planner for the city.  A seven person interim board was selected.  The Palmer Arts Council quickly filed for and received 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service.

The organizing group envisioned a community organization with a broad membership base of interested valley citizens.  The first annual meeting of the membership of Palmer Arts Council was held in March 2006, and the Council’s first permanent board was elected.

The Palmer Arts Council is headquartered in downtown Palmer, across from the Palmer Train Depot. We are grateful to Fireside Books for allowing us to use their facility for our office. As an all volunteer organization, we do not have regular office hours.

 
Who We Serve—

The goal of the Palmer Arts Council is to serve the citizens of the greater Palmer area. This large area extends from Knik River Road to Hatcher Pass, from Trunk Road to Sutton. The PAC currently has approximately 350 members who are primarily from the greater Palmer area, but some members reside in Wasilla, Talkeetna, Anchorage, and other local communities. All the events we facilitate and produce are open to any resident of the Mat Su Borough, visitors, or persons throughout the state.

 
Board of Directors—

Bridgette Preston, President;  Rose Hendrickson, Vice-President; Mark Hoffman, Treasurer; Howard Bess, Secretary;  Genie Siedler, Board Member;  Cheryl Risley, Board Member

Members—

The Palmer Arts Council has a membership of approximately 350 members. The annual membership fee is an important part of our annual budget. We appreciate your financial support and invite you to contribute at any level. Please visit our Membership Page.

 

Volunteers—

The Palmer Arts Council is a volunteer based organization. Most of the artistic programming is planned and produced by volunteers. We are always looking for interested community members who want to be involved in creative opportunities to experience the power of the arts as active participants.  Please visit our Volunteer Page.


Our Vision—

Creativity is valued and encouraged;
All children have access to a high-quality education that includes the arts;
Adults have lifelong opportunities for learning through the arts;
Artists live and work successfully as part of a vibrant creative economy;
People participate in a wide range of high-quality, accessible cultural programs;
Arts and cultural organizations are strong with active participation of citizens:
Creative industries contribute to a vital local and regional economy;
Palmer is recognized as an arts destination; and
The Palmer Arts Council will play a key role in realizing this future.