About the San Juan County Arts Council

Mission Statement: 

We are an umbrella arts organization supporting San Juan County artists through accessible microgrants and youth mentorships.

History:

The San Juan County Arts Council started as a response to the economic crash in 2008 when the Community Foundation gave us a grant to help start this organization. The mission at the time was to promote community and cultural sustainability. The idea of a county arts council resonated with several task force groups and became a full-fledged organization in 2011. 

The San Juan Summer Arts Festival was founded in 2016 as the primary fundraiser for the SJCAC. Funds raised at Arts Fest are were directly given back to the arts community in the form of grants. In 2018, the SJCAC gave it’s first grant ever in the sum of $1000 to the Funhouse Commons on Orcas Island. We continue to grant money through the community, our newest grant being the Inspiring Local Artist Grant. 

In 2023, we granted $3,000 to artists on all our beautiful islands. We also have continued to donate to Orcas Island Funhouse, as well as fund the youth mentorship program at Alchemy Art Center annually.

We appreciate all donations and support, all the money goes directly back into the community to help inspire local art.

Board:

Siege Lehman - President

Maria Michealson - Vice President

Katey Rissi - Board Member

Glenn Hendrick - Secretary

John Wheatley - Treasurer