Rosemount Area Arts Council
"Building and Strengthening our Community Through the Arts!"
RAAC's Roots
The Rosemount Area Arts Council was founded in 2007 by four area residents who had been serving on the St. Joseph’s Task Force. The Task Force had been appointed by the Rosemount City Council, charged with exploring possible reuses for the former St. Joseph’s Church and making a recommendation to the City Council. The final recommendation was that the former church be re-dedicated as a community arts center.
Just as the Task Force was making its final recommendations, these four members concluded that the arts in Rosemount were about more than just a building. We determined that we needed an arts council that could spearhead action and programming. The Rosemount Area Arts Council (RAAC) was born!
We held a public meeting in the former church in October 2007. Two dozen people showed up, all interested in the arts in Rosemount. By the end of 2007, we had eight members.
The year 2008 was a year of basic organization. We researched other area arts organizations, drafted by-laws, incorporated, applied for and received our 501(c)(3) tax exemption. We also sponsored our first event, the Shamrock Short Film Festival.
The years 2009-2011 saw growth in programming. In 2011, RAAC’s activities looked like this:
25 Total Events
15 Free Events
4315 Patrons Served
284 Artists Presenting
$18,502.00 Documented Spending in Rosemount
1 Artist Grants Awarded to Local Artists
3960 Estimated Volunteer Hours
9 Events Held in City of Rosemount Facilities
6 Events Held in Robert Trail Library
9 Events Held in Local Business Establishments
RAAC is a 100% volunteer-run, financially independent organization. Unlike our counterparts in surrounding communities, we receive no monies from local government.
On The Horizon: 2012 & Beyond
RAAC is on track to meet or exceed all its measurement points in 2011.
We have some exciting programming scheduled for the remainder of 2012, including an enhanced Bluegrass/Americana Festival, which will include a square dancing evening, a Country Market, craft fair, farmer's market, magicians, balloon artist, face-painting and a rib feast. Click our "Events" tab to see more of our events planned this year.
We are already planning for a successful 2013 when we would like to introduce a community theater company for adults 50+ , another community festival, and a joint venture event with the Hastings/Prescott Community Arts Council, capitalizing on Rosemount’s Mississippi River connection, a concert chime (bell-ringer) group.
For 2014 we are discussing the possibility of launching a children’s theater group.
Building and Strenghtening Our Community Through the Arts
Come & join the fun!
