A&V
Enriching, Inspiring, and Promoting the Arts Experience

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… to foster, strengthen, and promote Bucks County’s diverse arts and cultural community …

Mission
Vision

Mission

The mission of the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County is to foster, strengthen, and promote Bucks County’s diverse arts and cultural community, build arts alliances, and enhance the Bucks County arts experience. The Council’s work is rooted in the continuation of Bucks County arts traditions, the enrichment of arts appreciation, continually inspiring a vibrant and collaborative environment for contemporary arts, artists, and art enthusiasts alike.

History

Called the Bucks County Council on the Arts when it was established in 1974, the organization originally hosted exhibitions and programs, published a bimonthly newsletter, and established extensive archival holdings representing over 1,500 Bucks County artists. In 1985, the Council on the Arts joined forces with the Bucks County Commissioners to convert the Bucks County Prison into an art museum. Their dream was to preserve a historic landmark while providing future generations with a place to look, learn, and celebrate their artistic legacy. These collaborative efforts led to the establishment of the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown.

With that great success as a backdrop, a steering committee was formed in the early 2000’s to re-establish The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County. Guided by founder Katharine Steele Renninger, this group of concerned citizens, philanthropists, and government officials helped to lead the next stage of development and forged alliances with arts and cultural organizations throughout the county.

Vision 2020

Since its founding in 1974, the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County has grown membership and garnered attention across the region. We now look to serve members and the community in a more meaningful way by having a place to call home. To that end, in 2021 the A&C Board formalized a partnership with Freeman Hall at Salem, on East Court Street in Doylestown. Programs offered in the historic building will provide over 1500 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, thereby creating opportunities for serving a greatly expanded region with a more diverse audience and building strong recognition for a unified commitment to arts and culture.  

A&C events at Freeman Hall will further engage artist members and the community in educational initiatives, provide venues for meaningful arts and advocacy dialogue, and strengthen arts awareness through exhibition and sale opportunities, performances, workshops, and forums, most of which are free and open to the public. In addition, the location will facilitate collaboration with new partners and audiences vital to Bucks County, including the Rainbow Room, Youth Arts Initiative, National Art Honor Societies, Discover Doylestown, New Hope and Doylestown Arts Festivals, several groups of first-generation families who are new to Bucks County, and more.

The Council will also continue significant partnerships with businesses, cultural organizations and museums, civic groups, area artists, and Visit Bucks County, to promote the arts, support artists, unite our mission and vision in a meaningful way, reach our diverse cultural community, and truly inspire and impact the arts in Bucks County and beyond.

Sun, Alix Stoll

Passing By on Brook Road, Jane Ramsey

Snowy, Foggy Dawn, Donna D. Lovely

The Little Donkey, Deb Hoeffner

Spalted Maple Hollow Form, Bernard Hohlfeld