Austin’s city council recently approved a $10,000 grant to the Austin ArtWorks Center capital campaign.

With this support, we have raised 80 percent of our $600,000 goal. In addition to the ArtWorks Center campaign, we are also working hard to raise funds for the 2014 Austin ArtWorks Festival and are at 75 percent of our $60,000 goal.

The Austin Area Commission for the Arts would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has given gifts to support these initiatives. On a broad scale, these gifts have helped us achieve our mission to identify, engage, and support the development and advancement of diverse arts, entertainment, and cultural activities that benefit people in Austin and the surrounding area.

More specifically, gifts to the Austin ArtWorks Center have allowed us to start renovation of the historic building located at 300 North Main Street in downtown Austin for the new ArtWorks Center. This building has been vacant since 1997, and we are excited to make it come alive for our community.

We are close to our goal, but will need to raise $124,000 more to finish the remodeling work and purchase much needed equipment and supplies for our studio and classroom spaces.

Donations to the Austin ArtWorks Festival allow us to offer a high quality, fun event at no charge to our community. The $15,000 left to raise will help us pay for amenities like artist demonstrations, free musical performances, and activities for children.

Gifts to either of these programs can be made online at austinareaarts.org or by mailing a check to 125 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN.