About East Central RAC

Promoting Arts in East Central Minnesota

The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is a new independent 501c3 non-profit started on July 1, 2011, by the former members of the East Central Arts Council (ECAC) Advisory Committee to the East Central Regional Development Commission.  It is one of eleven Regional Arts Councils designated by the Minnesota State Legislature. ECRAC serves the five county area of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine Counties.

ECRAC's purpose is to promote and encourage all of the arts in East Central Minnesota. ECRAC does this by funding grant proposals from area arts and community organizations, schools, governmental units, and individuals.

Programs of the ECRAC will be very similar to the former ECAC and will include grant funding for individuals and groups for art projects, technical assistance to grantees and others interested in the arts, and the Essential Arts  e-newsletter. ECRAC will also work to identify economic and community development links in the region, and will provide information, assistance and referrals on arts issues. 

ECRAC Mission

The mission of the East Central Regional Arts Council is to improve the quantity and quality of arts experiences in Region 7E by facilitating the production, presentation, and dissemination of art development for arts organizations and by promoting the growth of individual artists. 

These activities are funded in part by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature, with money from the State's general fund and its Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.  This fund was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.  These activities are also funded in part by The McKnight Foundation.