The Arts Council of Montgomery

The Arts Council of Montgomery was formed in 1979. Former Mayor Emory Folmar described it as an “umbrella for the arts” in the City of Montgomery. The Arts Council was developed and approved in 1977 by the Cultural Arts Office of the Parks and Recreation Department, for the sole purpose of developing an arts entity for the city. The purpose of the Cultural Arts Office was to create an entity to coordinate services for citywide cultural activities and respond to the cultural needs of the community. The activities were to include assistance in publicity for arts groups, for artists seeking employment opportunities, information on classes, assistance in writing grant applications, scholarship assistance, identification of channels for private funding and assistance in working with or through the city schools. In 1983 the city completed renovation of The Armory Learning Arts Center to provide a home for the Arts Council and to provide a facility for arts activities in Montgomery.

The programs of The Arts Council focus on the youth, who are the future of our community. The Children’s Poetry Contest, initiated in 1972, is held annually in cooperation with the Montgomery City/County Public Library. In 1984, the Artist in Residency Program began in cooperation with the Montgomery Public Schools. Each year this program attracts over 250 students to the Armory for instruction in various artistic activities. Also in 1984, the Children’s Theatre program began, which brings all 5th grade students together to view a professional theatre performance on stage. The DOOT (Doing Our Own Thing) program, which began in 1987, consists of a juried art show for 10th-12th grade students. This event also includes a Sidewalk Art Competition where students compete for scholarships, prizes and ribbons. The ACES (Artistic Competition for Exceptional Students) program, which began in 1989, is a scholarship program for 7th-9th grade students. The students audition or submit work in seven art disciplines, and compete for the scholarship awards. In December, the Arts Council of Montgomery joins Maxwell Air Force Base and the City of Montgomery to present the annual Glenn Miller Holiday Concert. This concert is anticipated by and attended by thousands of people from around the state. The Anita P. Folmar Youth Art Gallery, which is located in the Armory Learning Arts Center, was established in 1998. This gallery is the only facility in Montgomery for exhibiting the artistic works of the young people in our community.

The Arts Council Board of Directors consists of representatives from arts organizations, appointees of City Council representatives and civic leaders in the community. As a vibrant part of the community, the Council strives to meet the needs and interests of the community with its programs for the youth and to develop new programs as the need arises. Sources of funding are private donations, public donations and membership fees. The Arts Council of Montgomery is committed to the youth of our community and provides programs that are not offered by any other organization in Montgomery.