Rum River Art Center Inc

Keeping art alive in North Metro!

From the moment you enter the turn of the century brick building covered with murals created by local artists, you immediately sense the quirkiness and creative vibe of the Rumriver art center. The muraled hallway created by teens leads you into the main art gallery and via twists and turns takes you into the library café, filled with books to loan, another turn leads you into our ceramics area with a kiln room, glazing room, and wheel studio another turn and you enter our small but bright south studio overlooking the scenic Rum River. Go the opposite direction and a small staircase takes you to our community space which contains our 21Step Gallery and 3 small private studios for artists plus a quiet room. Take the stairs back down and through the hallways to our largest north studio. Here you find 4 private studios along with a huge space for classes, workshops and collaboration. This area also houses a large supply of art materials and artwork for inspiration. The breadth of supplies available is overwhelming and joyous to those who have never had these available for use. The Executive director's office is right in the eye of the center with an open door policy for all. Imagination becomes reality at the Rumriver Art Center.

The mission of Rumriver Art Center (RRAC) is to make a difference through art by being a welcoming and inspiring environment for artists of all ages to explore their creative potential through our classes, collaborations, and partnerships in the North Metro. Rumriver Art Center began in 2009 as a small 500 sq. ft. center and is now 10000 sq. ft. facility with several large studio/classrooms, art café/library, a ceramic studio, two community art galleries, and private artist studios all housed in a historic early 1900’s Milk Factory along the Rum River. The Rumriver Art Center is an artist led community art center, where your dollars go right to providing art to your community. The Rumriver Art Center provides as many programs to community outside the art center as at the art center. Rumriver Art Center is a true community art center that has grown and developed by community input and support. They believe in the importance of the art making process over the product.

We reach over 12,000+ students annually of a wide range of ages, ethnicities, abilities, and economic backgrounds offering the opportunity to grow artistically and creatively while building confidence and social skills. We offer a full range of art mediums including wheel throwing pottery, hand-built pottery, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, polymer clay, mosaic art, oil and chalk pastels, mixed-media, photography, and more. 

The art center offers programs for public and private educational institutions, summer art camps for youth, and art courses for homeschool families. We have a Vitality Arts program for older adults ages 55+ and a Senior Art-Reach program that brings artistic opportunities to seniors in local assisted/independent living facilities, senior centers and YMCAs. We partner with many local organizations as well to bring art into the community at no cost or low cost. We have a scholarship program, so we never turn anyone away.

The Rumriver Art Center is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization and is 95% funded by people like you taking classes and making (tax-deductible) donations.  We have additional recurring monthly expenses including rent and utilities. Your donation will help to cover the costs of our general operating expenses and will allow us to continue to be an arts resource for the community.

Rumriver Art Center Financial Report

January - December 2021

Income

Public support and Grants $87,193

Classes and Programs $240,695

Total Income $327,888

Expenses

RRAC Business Expenses $85,229

Teacher/Staff Payroll $197,551

Rent $43,200

Total Expenses $325,980

Net Operating Income $1,908.80

Can we count on you to continue to see your community art center thrive?