The Orange County Arts Council is a private, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to meeting the growing need for local arts advocacy and serving as a county-wide arts resource.

The Orange County Arts Council began as a collaborative effort between the Orange County Citizens Foundation and the County of Orange. In 2003, the Citizens Foundation, with financial support from NYS Assemblyman Howard Mills and County Executive Ed Diana, commissioned a Cultural Needs Assessment for Orange County. That study, released in 2004, called for the development of an Arts and Cultural Strategic Plan and identified the need for a full-time arts service organization. In 2005, the Citizens Foundation developed an outline for the Strategic Plan; within a year, the county had completed the plan.

In 2006, the Orange County Legislature accepted the Strategic Plan, and the following year the Orange County Arts Council was born. The Orange County Legislature and County Executive Ed Diana provided funding from the county budget to help get the Orange County Arts Council started.

Today, a diverse Board of Directors (click here for a member listing) made up of community leaders, business leaders, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists oversees the Orange County Arts Council.

Many of our programs are designed and implemented by volunteers serving on various committees.

To view a list of our committees and their respective goals, click here.