The Columbus Arts Council was organized in 1965 and incorporated in 1971 with a mission "to present, promote and support the arts and arts education." Our primary service is in Columbus and Lowndes County but our programs draw people from all over Northeast Mississippi and Northwest Alabama.
An 18-member volunteer board governs CAC and serves three year terms. The group meets monthly; however, each member is the chair of a committee that meets more regularly. The rest of the members of these board committees are community volunteers. The full-time executive director, heads the 6-member part-time staff which consists of a Young People's Artist Series director, an office manager, a financial director, two assistants and an intern.
Since 1997 our home has been The Rosenzweig Arts Center in the heart of downtown Columbus. The RAC features a sales and exhibit gallery, classroom space, theater space and meeting rooms. CAC offers arts-based community development programs, re-grants to local arts organizations, promotion and ticketing services for other local arts groups, a Gallery Series, the Omnova Theater presenting local productions, Young People's Artist Series and Articipation with workshops in the schools, the Concert & Artist Series and Community Arts series presenting shows for families, and the Art Underground featuring classes in everything from guitar to pottery to belly dancing.
Our major sources of funding are grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Southern Arts Federation, and local government grants. However, we would not be able to exist without local corporate sponsorships and the donations of private individuals through the purchase of memberships, event tickets, class tuition, building rental, and gallery sales.
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