HISTORY

The San Juan County Arts Council started as a response to the economic crash in 2008. The Community Foundation gave us a grant to help us start this organization along with with the over 400 other Art Related Organizations around the country. This mission is and was to promote community and cultural sustainability. The arts councils idea resonated with several task force groups and became a full-fledged organization in 2011. The San Juan Summer Arts Festival was founded in 2016 as the primary fundraiser for the SJCAC. In 2018 the SJCAC gave it’s first grant ever in the sum of $1000.00 to the Funhouse Commons on Orcas Island, WA. We continue to grant money through the community, our newest grant being the Inspiring Local Artist Grant. In 2023 we granted $3,000 to artists on all our beautiful islands. We also have continued to donate to Orcas Island Funhouse, as well as fund the youth mentorship program at Alchemy Art Center annually.

We appreciate all donations and support, all the money goes directly back into the community to help inspire local art.