Our Mission

For more than 20 years, the Edwardsville Arts Center (EAC) has served its community and neighboring towns. Founded by a group of local artists in 2001, the EAC advocates for the positive impact of art on our local communities and provides a space for local artists to share their work with the public.

Today, the center has grown into an organization that serves local, regional, and national artists through exhibitions, provides art education opportunities for individuals and families across the metro-east, contains a gallery shop featuring local and national artists, and engages the community through outreach programs including the organization of a 3-day juried art fair.

Our goal is to foster awareness of the positive impact of art and creative making on a community by providing opportunities that preserve traditional techniques and inspire contemporary ideas; encourage dialogue while cultivating a sense of community; celebrate ideas and diverse cultures; provide visibility to local artists; encourage the collection of art, and provide an opportunity for expression and engagement. We make these efforts through:

• Education – offering classes for children and adults in a variety of mediums.

• Exhibtions – presenting 8-10 exhibitions in our professional and student gallery spaces, and a gallery shop featuring artist-made gifts.

• Events – Providing creative making opportunities at public events, and the Edwardsville Art Fair produced each September hosts 100 juried artists, local restaurants, entertainment on the park stage, and a children’s art tent with free activities.

In May 2024 the EAC moved from its location at the Edwardsville High School to an interim spaced located at 340 Montclaire Avenue, Edwardsville. Due to space restrictions exhibition viewings are only available at satellite gallery locations.