. . . . . . . The Auburn Arts Association was founded as a non-profit, volunteer, community-based arts organization in 1982. The Association?s primary objective is to promote arts education, encourage and support area artists, and to stimulate community interest in the arts.


. . . . . . . The Auburn Arts Association is governed by a board of directors which includes eight officers elected annually by the membership and the chairpersons of some numerous committees who are appointed annually. Membership is open to anyone, individual, senior citizen, family, and corporate. Additional funding is provided by state and local grants and local businesses.


. . . . . . . Each year the Arts Association puts on its Annual Auction for the Arts which provides funds for scholarships and in-school programs. Scholarships are awarded each year to area artists, musicians, writers and performers, to help them develop their individual talents, and to groups for special arts projects that benefit the community. Since 1994, the Annual Auction has provided funds for in-school programs, providing artists and performers with professional opportunities to share their talents and abilities, encouraging wider participation in the appreciation of the arts. Since then over 20,000 students in the Auburn school system, home-schooled children, and children in the Auburn/Lee County area have participated.


. . . . . . . The Association works hand-in-hand with the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center, providing instructors and classes in the visual and performing arts. The Association maintains a gallery in the Center, providing the community with exhibition space for regional artists?the only community gallery open daily to the public.