The Salmon Arts Council, a non-profit organization, was organized in the kitchen of a Salmon household in the fall of 1978. Since that time it has grown from a group of five to a 13 member board of directors with a paid part-time Executive Director; an office in the Salmon Valley Center; and an annual budget often in excess of $40,000. The organization has received considerable support over the years from the Idaho Commission on the Arts in the form of grant awards and technical assistance.

To foster the growth, quality and awareness of the arts and humanities.

The SAC Board has chosen to focus on the following goals over the next few years:

• To provide opportunities for appreciation of and participation in the arts and humanities by presenting diversified programs.
• To provide and encourage comprehensive arts education.
• To increase involvement and cooperation with the community, other organizations, and cultural goups in strengthening the role of the arts in all aspects of life.
• To provide opportunities for the development of local artists.
• To broaden and maintain the organization's financial base.
• To explore and develop a community center for arts and humanities.

Operation money for the SAC comes from many places. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is funded by Congress and, in lean budget years, is facing severe cutbacks and possibly extinction. The NEA gives a Basic Operating Grant for each state which the state matches. The Idaho Commission on the Arts (ICA) is funded by the state legislature. The ICA also provides money for Basic Operation Support Grants as well as Artist-in-Residency Grants, Project Support Grants, and Performing Arts Touring Grants. We apply to the ICA for a Basic Operating Support grant to help pay expenses such as our Executive Director's salary, rent, insurance and other housekeeping costs. The balance of our funding comes from memberships, admissions to events, contributions and fundraisers.

The Salmon Arts Council presents and sponsors many events throughout the year. Several of the programs are annual events and include:

• Salmon Valley Art and Photography Show
• Shakespeare in the Park
• Missoula Children's Theatre
• Children's Art-in-the-Park
• Student Art Show
• Fall Dinner Theatre

In 1988, the Salmon Arts Council was awarded the Governor's Arts Award for Support of the Arts. The nomination was made by the local school district and the SAC became the second arts organization in Idaho to receive this prestigious award.

In 1990, the Salmon Education Association presented the SAC with their "Friend of the Education" award for all that is done to further the arts in the school.

Come by our office in the Salmon Valley Center

200 Main Street, Salmon ID 83467

 or call us at 756-2987