Ames Community Arts Council
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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

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.
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Senior Variety Show
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Art Ciccotti, Glass Blower
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Story Theater Company

Back Alley Mural Project​

The 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.
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ASPHATE and LIMZNOKOV, Back Alley Mural.

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The Ames Community Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded through memberships, donations, and grants, including the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA).

© 2025 Ames Community Arts Council
Our Mission:
The Ames Community Arts Council is dedicated to celebrating the arts in Ames. To this end, we strive to bring people together through the arts, and to increase arts awareness, collaboration, participation, and education.​

Mailing Address:
PO Box 1842, Ames, IA  50010
Email Address:
[email protected]
Phone:
515.259.0494
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