Give to the Max Day 2021

The mission of Rumriver Art Center 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 with like-minded individuals in the North Metro. We recognize the individual potential of students and artists and explore through multiple art mediums their creativity, talents, passions, and spirit while igniting prospects for innovative and affordable artistic expression.

The art center began in 2009 as a small 500 sq. ft. studio and is now 7,000 sq. ft. with the addition of an art café and library, a ceramics studio, a larger multi-purpose studio, a community room, and six private artist studios in a historic milk factory along the Rum River. We opened a community art gallery in the fall of 2018 for local artists to showcase their work and have been organizing a community art fair in Ramsey each summer since 2016. We reach over 10,000 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 started with a simple drawing class and now offer a full range of art mediums including wheel throwing pottery, hand-built pottery, acrylic painting, watercolor painting, polymer clay, mosaic art, acrylic pouring, pastels, mixed-media, printmaking, and more. The art center offers programs for public and private educational institutions, summer art camps, art courses for homeschoolers, community programs, virtual art classes via Zoom, and more. We launched our Vitality Arts program for older adults 55+ in April 2018 and have a Senior Art-Reach Program to bring artistic opportunities to local senior centers and assisted living facilities.

Every year, Rumriver Art Center serves more than 10,000 students in the community through our in-person and virtual classes, events, annual art fair, art gallery, community outreach, and more! Our mission is to make a difference for artists and individuals of all ages by providing an opportunity rich, welcoming and inspiring environment.

How do we do this?

We do it through grants, individuals taking classes, and monetary and in-kind donations. We have been fortunate to receive some grant funding that helps offset the cost of our programs. Going forward we know that grants are not always possible. That's why we rely on participants like you for support.

Below is a sampling of our classes, what we charge and what other art centers in Minnesota charge for a similar class. Tuition only covers a part of the cost of your class. Help fill the gap by donating today!
Wheel Throwing Pottery 8 Week Course
RRAC: $270, other art centers: $324 – $412
Watercolor Painting 8 Week Course
RRAC: $145, other art centers: $270 – $354
Drawing 8 Week Course
RRAC: $135, other art centers: $203 – $270
Acrylic Painting 4 Week Course
RRAC: $95, other art centers: $196
Drawing Class
RRAC: $20, other art centers: $54
Mixed Media Class
RRAC: $25, other art centers: $62
Painting (watercolor or acrylic) Class
RRAC: $20 – $25, other art centers: $63
Hand-Built Pottery Class
RRAC: $30, other art centers: $39
Mosaic Class
RRAC: $35, other art centers: $45

Whether it's a monetary donation, volunteer hours, an art supply/material donation, taking classes or sharing the art center with family and friends, YOU are what makes us a successful community art center. We appreciate all of your support in helping us continue to bring artistic opportunities to the community and keep art alive!!!

During Give to the Max Day this year, our GOAL is to raise $10,000 to help fund our immediate and long-term needs, including a pug mill to repurpose and recycle clay for pottery classes, scholarships for students in need, art supplies for classes, and new flooring to replace the water damaged flooring in our upstairs studio.

Your gift right now will help ensure artists of all ages can continue to explore their creativity and achieve their full artistic potential. Donate your most generous gift now and join our work!