A Brief History of the Island Arts Council of Whidbey Island, Washington

The Island Arts Council was formed by a creative group of people on South Whidbey Island with the goal of providing support to local artists. It became a non-profit organization in 1980. A full spectrum of art was included in the mission of the council that sought to support artists in all mediums such as music, theater, dance, literary and the visual arts. The council formed committees and provided regular newsletters to the community with a calendar of art events.

Raising money through fundraisers such arts galas, medieval banquets and a series of "Harvest Moon Balls," IAC provided seed money to organizations such as Island Theater, the Whidbey Children's Theater, Island Strings, the Whidbey Music Festival and the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra.

In 1987 a group of community members asked the IAC to be their umbrella in order to apply for grants for a community theater they wanted to create. That group conducted a theater capital campaign which helped to build the now 12-year-old Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. The performing arts venue and community theater has its own 501C3 status and boasts an ambitious year-round program of performances in all disciplines accented with an educational component. 

The Island Arts Council is also responsible for sponsoring the Choochokam Arts festival for several years, originating the Langley Arts Festival, and  starting the Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour which it has successfully run for 12 years. The IAC additionally continues to sponsor island poetry slams as it has done since 1993.

The council provides grants and loans to artists, as well as scholarships to senior high school students who are committed to a further study of the arts through higher education. 

Since 1987, the IAC has issued a number of scholarships to student artists in the fields of visual art, dance and music and continues to accept applications every year for scholarships in all disciplines. 

The visual arts committee is now reaping the benefits of the Open Studio Tour and implementing specific scholarships for visual art students.

The music committee continues to organize concerts in a variety of
venues, from intimate house concerts, to performances at the Middle School and High School auditoriums.  Past concerts have included performances by the Northwest Chamber Orchestra
and the Seattle Symphony, which included an opportunity for some advanced music students of Whidbey Island to play with the orchestra.

The Island Arts Council has been busy recently revitalizing the organization.

The recently formed Arts in Education Committee is charged with the development of programming that furthers arts education and activities for local Washington State school K-12 programs.

Under the leadership of current board president Joe Menth, a number of new board members have been busy moving the council forward with new ideas, a new membership menu and the launch of a bountiful Web site all with the intent to serve the artists of Whidbey Island better.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is IAC?
2. What does IAC do?
3. Why should I join IAC?
4. What do I get as a member?
5. How do I join IAC?

1. What is IAC?

Our Mission Statement: 

• To act as a catalyst for artistic growth and as a resource to support and encourage the artistic community, its artists and its patrons;
• To further art education, including community arts activities and a partnership with school-based arts programs;
• To foster multicultural artistic endeavors;
• To conduct all Island Arts Council business at the highest level of integrity, professionalism and fiscal responsibility;
• To protect Island Arts Council autonomy guided by our non-profit status.

The purpose of the organization is to assist local artists by providing advice, publicity, financial aid and sponsorship of cultural events; and to encourage increased community awareness of and support for the arts.  Further, the organization may develop, hold and manage facilities pursuant to these ends. 

Since 1980, IAC has been building a vital community support network for the island, it’s artists and cultural organizations.  As a private, non-profit organization, we're funded mainly by membership dues and fundraising.

2. What does the IAC do?
• Produces the Whidbey Open Studio Tour
• Provides financial support for artistic events
• Raises funds and awards annual artist grants
• Raises funds and awards annual high school student scholarships
• Supports the following events and organizations
• Island Strings
• Saratoga Chamber Orchestra
• Poetry Slams
• Many other art events, project, and organizations around Whidbey Island

3. Why should I join the IAC?

Whidbey Island is a special place for those of us that live and visit here.  The quality of life is in a large part due to the strong sense of community and it’s dedication to the Arts.  IAC plays an integral role in the development and support of various arts events and organizations.  This cannot be accomplished without the involvement of our individual, family, business and organization members

4. What do I get as a member of IAC

5. How do I join the IAC?

It’s easy! Just email us at membership@islandartscouncil.org and we'll process your membership right away. You can also click on the PayPal button on this page or on the Membership page to pay directly by credit card, e-check, or e-transfer. You don't even need a PayPal account to process your payment. IAC is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.  Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.