Austin Area Arts

The AACA is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of our fellow human beings through the power of art. In 1990 a group of forward-thinking citizens joined forces to create the Austin Area Commission for the Arts (AACA). Their mission: to promote and develop the arts in Austin as well as to oversee the ongoing preservation of the Historic Paramount Theatre. Once established, the group spent over two decades spearheading the effort to restore the Paramount to its original glory, and succeeded in dramatically enhancing the quality of life in Austin by offering a venue for the performing arts to flourish. Beyond programming a diverse array of events at the Paramount Theatre each year, since 2012 the AACA has organized the annual ArtWorks Festival, which showcases artists (from musicians to painters to blacksmiths) and draws thousands of visitors to Austin, MN each August. But we still weren't satisfied. Envisioning a home for this great artistic community to gather year-round, the AACA opened the ArtWorks Center in August 2014. The Center is a hub for artists, art teachers and students, and art lovers to share their knowledge of and passion for the arts. With these three programs under our purview, we continue to carry out our mission: to identify, engage, and support the development and advancement of diverse arts, entertainment, and cultural activities that make life better for people in Austin and the surrounding area.