History

 On February 20, 1985 John Bolin, PhD, Chair-Theatre Department at Berea College, sent a proposal to the Mayor of Berea, Clifford Kerby, MD. He wrote to Mayor Kerby, that among small cities, Berea was unique in “the presence of a College which provides education and cultural services, the presence of a specific artistic/craft tradition that serves as a Mecca to artists/craftsmen/tourists, and a public spirit which seeks to further enhance its attractiveness as a tourist center”. However, Berea did not have “a public library, a community arts council, a community center nor a mechanism for supporting community arts or recreation in a co-operative organized way.”

He went on to say that Berea needed a community activities council that would serve as a coordinating body for (arts) communication, a grant research and writing agency to apply for (art) funds, an agency for the creation and management of the proposed (arts) activities and to serve as liaison representing the broader Berea public, college students and tourists that could take advantage of summer theatre, arts and recreation, work shop spaces and various inter-agency activities.

The Mayor appointed a committee in February of 1985 which decided on a name for the organization: The Berea Arts Council; and they proposed a rationale for the arts in Berea:

1) celebrating ourselves, each other, our common and unique heritage;

2) providing opportunities for sharing, developing skills and for entertainment;

3) enhancing the activities of the educational systems in Berea; and

4) raising the quality of our living and community pride.

the Council resolved to: 1) find a permanent building/location,2) increase public visibility through a monthly news letter, 3) form a formal programming committee to plan programs and 4) draft a set of Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

The Berea Arts Council continues to be an important and integral part of the arts community in Berea, Kentucky.