Mission:
The Rowayton Arts Center strives to create an environment where local and regional artists of all ages and levels of expertise can gather for the purpose of education, exhibition and inspiration. Through its classes, gallery, outreach programs and events, the Arts Center endeavors to promote creativity in the arts and to expand its involvement within the community.
About Us:
For more than 50 years, the Rowayton Arts Center (RAC) has been a community cultural hub providing an accessible environment for the exchange of arts-related ideas. RAC's open and airy building on the scenic banks of the Five Mile River is the setting for monthly exhibits and receptions, classes and workshops for artists at all levels, lectures, musical events and other activities that attract participants and visitors from Connecticut and New York. RAC now has more than 500 members, including nationally-recognized professionals, talented amateurs, beginners and non-artists from Fairfield County and beyond.
RAC is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to the arts through opportunity, education and outreach. RAC's programs are supported by modest membership dues, class and workshop fees, commissions on sales, and donations from generous individuals, public-spirited foundations and civic-minded businesses.
Moving beyond our own membership, RAC reaches out to the community through arts-related activities, sometimes in cooperation with other organizations such as local libraries, historical societies, high schools, environmental groups and the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. Each June, we invite everyone to join in a free community plein-air painting competition and show with an opening reception that features live music and refreshments.
RAC's community outreach includes underwriting an six-week program for a group of middle school students who participate in the Expressive Arts class at the Family & Children's Agency in Norwalk. Each year's program culminates in a show at RAC of artwork created by the youngsters.
