About Us
Ames Community Arts Council is dedicated to celebrating the arts in Ames.
Over 40 years of service to the Ames community
Founded 1976
Founded 1976
History
In 1976, when federal revenue sharing funds were available, Mayor Bill Pelz created the Ames Community Arts Council. These funds could be spent on many projects, including the arts. Bill Pelz formed the organization as an advisory group for the city council. Local arts activist, Carole Horowitz was the first president. The following year (1977) the Arts Council became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The federal revenue sharing funds eventually dried up, but the Arts Council continued to support the arts in Ames.
Over the years, many people have come together to support the arts through the Arts Council, primarily as volunteers. We are honored to continue to build community through the arts in Ames.
Arts Council Board Presidents* -- How many do you know?
1976 Carole Horowitz 1977 Lu Kiser 1978 Wil Barnes 1979 - 1980 Sylvia McCormack 1981 Maridee Hegstrom 1982 Lynette Pohlman 1983 Virginia Stafford 1984 Glenn Connor 1985 Kathy Svec 1986 Jane Cox 1987 - 1988 Sue Haug 1990 - 1991 Robert Thomas 1992 Tom Kidd 1993 - 1994 Charles Cumming 1995 Renate Hippen 1996 - 1997 Roy Warman 1998 Kathy Svec 1999 - 2000 Katherine Andre 2001 - 2002 Kim Sharp 2003 - 2004 Mike Miller 2005 - 2006 Tom Norris 2007 Kathy Stevens 2008 Margaret (Peg) Johnson Terms changed to follow fiscal year July 1 - June 30. 2009 - 2010 Nita Upchurch 2010 - 2011 Dawn Budd 2011 - 2012 Barbara Walton 2012-2013 Co-Presidents: Barbara Walton and Jim Wilcox 2013 - 2015 Andrea Gronau 2015 - 2016 - Sara Merritt 2017 - Marla Martens *Thanks to Roger Berger for compiling this list. |
Back Alley Mural ProjectThe Ames Community Arts Council, in cooperation with Morning Bell Coffee Roasters,
collaborated with ASPHATE and his team to create the inaugural mural of the Back Alley Gallery. This beautiful mural was done entirely with spray paint and no stencils. Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, located at 111 Main St., Ames. |