History and Biennial Plan

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) 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 in Minnesota.  ECAC started in July of 1979.  As of July 1, 2019, ECRAC moved their office from Braham to Hinckley. 

ECRAC has prepared a preliminary Biennial Plan for FY 2024-2025.

ECRAC Preliminary Biennial Plan Public Meeting March 14, 2023

The Preliminary Biennial Plan was approved by the ECRAC Board of Directors on March 21 and submitted to the Minnesota State Arts Board on April 3, 2023. The purpose of the Plan is:

• to meet the requirements of the State Legislature for the East Central Regional Arts Council to be eligible to receive a block grant for fiscal years 2024-2025 for funding of local arts development programs, and other arts sponsorship activities.
• to guide the direction and overall activities of the East Central Regional Arts Council as it strives to fulfill its mission, as a basis for review and outcome evaluation, and as a tool to communicate ECRAC priorities and outcomes for the 2024-2025 fiscal years.
• to provide information on and a description of the extent of arts development and needs withing the five county 7E region (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine Counties).
• to allow individual artists, arts enthusiasts and organizations to better realize the overall arts resources, arts needs, and arts activities of ECRAC.