History of the Rochester Arts Council

The Art Administrators Round Table (AART), the brainchild of Ann Beatty, then-Executive Director of the Choral Arts Ensemble, began as an informal monthly meeting where those employed in the arts and others dedicated to the arts could meet, share event dates, collaborate on projects, participate in educational programs and just plain socialize.

Approximately a year after the formation of AART, Rochester’s Downtown Alliance (RDA) committee, Avenue of the Arts, chaired by Audrey Betcher, Director of the Rochester Public Library, was working to create more visibility for the Arts & Culture in downtown Rochester. 

The Avenue of the Arts committee saw the need for the creation of a website showcasing all arts related activities in Rochester and including the ability to purchase tickets online. But the committee’s mission was narrower and not set up for the ongoing maintenance of such a project.  The RDA explored the option of creating a new arts council that would take on supporting all arts organizations in Rochester through joint projects such as online ticketing, arts marketing, and an arts fair.  The idea was received favorably and the Rochester Arts Council was incorporated in April, 2006.

As the Rochester Arts Council defined its mission, goals and found its feet as a new organization, AART was also going through changes becoming more formal by creating bylaws and membership requirements.

With the support and encouragement of Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede, a longtime advocate of the Arts, the broader vision of a unified arts council to promote the arts in Rochester moved members from both groups to merge their goals.  AART is now a subcommittee of the Rochester Arts Council and continues to fulfill its original role.  The group meets quarterly.

The Rochester Arts Council is made up of volunteer Council members who represent the Art Administrators Round Table, Rochester City Council, Rochester Downtown Alliance, Avenue of the Arts, Mayo Civic Center, Southeast Minnesota Arts Council, Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, the business community and the general public.

With the proposed expansion of responsibilities of the Rochester Arts Council, an Executive Director was hired in March, 2008.