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

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

In 2021, the A&C Board formalized a partnership with Freeman Hall at Salem, on East Court Street in Doylestown, where we now call home. A&C events at Freeman Hall, with its 1500 square feet of exhibition and meeting space, offer exhibition and sale opportunities, readings, performances, workshops, and forums, most of which are free and open to the public.

Our vision forward is to continue to engage our growing artist membership and the community with programs, events and educational initiatives. Our Freeman Hall location facilitates 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 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 inspire and impact the arts in our region and beyond.