Eau Claire, Wis. (January 11, 2022) - Visit Eau Claire and The Eau Claire Public Arts Council are officially partnering! This collaboration will empower both organizations to promote their common goal of empowering local and tourist communities alike through visual arts. 

“Sustaining an all-volunteer organization has its obvious challenges, yet our Eau Claire Public Arts Council has worked with commitment to local visual arts, and has championed many visual arts projects and events in our community,” said Jo Ellen Burke, President of Eau Claire Public Arts Council. “Our partnership with Visit Eau Claire will reflect our common belief in the power and importance of visual arts - to community, culture, tourism, education and the creative economy. We're very grateful to Visit Eau Claire for their support and this opportunity to sustain the important work of our Council.” 

Executive Director, Benny Anderson stated this about the partnership, “The newly established Visit Eau Claire Public Arts Committee will continue the efforts of the ECPAC while bringing in the marketing, collaboration and granting opportunities that Visit Eau Claire has become known for. Based on this new opportunity, the Eau Claire Public Arts Council voted to disband and become an operating committee for Visit Eau Claire.  We look forward to growing the amazing creative economy we have here with all of our community partners to not only give tourists an amazing attraction but to further improve this great area for our residents.”

Eau Claire Public Arts Recent Accomplishments: 

• Collaborated with Visit Eau Claire to establish a website, promotional info and a database for artists.

• Created a Facebook page and promotional materials.

• Founded ‘Banks for Art’, with fundraising that partnered with 4 local banks.

• Championed the ‘Gallery Window Walk’ for 2 years during Creative Economy Week/Month.

• Installed the ‘Eddies’ Sculpture at Haymarket Plaza, along with a Celebration of the Creative Economy Month of May.

• Obtained a WEDC/Arts Wisconsin grant for the ‘We’re All In’ project, engaging 3 local artists in creating art that fosters community, cultural insights and advocacy for connections.

• Obtained a Pablo Foundation grant for the, ‘We Are The Chippewa Valley’ project, selecting 12 BIPOC artists whose work will be depicted on bus wraps, calendars and postcards.

• Implemented a Visit Eau Claire grant, ‘Kubb Project’ with local high schools and our Kubb community.