About ECRAC

Mission

The East Central Regional Arts Council's mission is to support the arts and bring the life enhancing values they afford to all Region 7E residents. ECRAC is committed to providing opportunities for all in the arts by fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in our organization and in the Region 7E arts community. 

Region 7E is the East Central Minnesota Counties of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine. The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) accomplishes this mission through grant programs and special initiatives for artists, culture bearers, and arts organizations. The organization, among its other activities relating to its mission, makes grants to artists and other entities for arts projects and provides program related support services. ECRAC is a nonprofit corporation and is one of 11 independent Minnesota Regional Arts Councils.

Vision

All Region 7E residents have the opportunity to participate, appreciate, create, and invest in the arts.

Values

Arts in Action
We are motivated by our love of the arts, to serve artists and organizations with resources, education, and commitment.  We welcome all artists and organizations as partners in our common goal of developing a vibrant arts community.

Integrity
We recognize all art forms and act with consistency, support, and respect in all of our relationships and in our stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. 

Artistic Merit
We uphold a high standard of artistic quality that promotes growth and development of creative knowledge, skills, and understanding. 

Legacy
We understand and appreciate that the arts are an essential part of our heritage and daily lives.  We uphold the creative spirit from the past, in the present, and into the future.

Additional Information

The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is an independent 501c3 non-profit started on July 1, 2011, by the former members of the East Central Arts Council (ECAC), an Advisory Committee to the East Central Regional Development Commission.

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

Programs of the ECRAC 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 also works to identify economic and community development links in the region, and provides information, assistance and referrals on arts issues.

ECRAC hosts the annual IMAGE Art Show and Grantee Art Shows.  Watch the news section for current updates!

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.