The Marion Arts Council was established in 1976 and is comprised of seven volunteer members approved and appointed by the Marion City Council, under the jurisdiction of the Marion Parks and Recreation Department. The Arts Council can have as many associate members to help with the responsibilities of recommending and planning art events and cultural activities. Those residents who wish to attend the public meetings can do so.

If you have any interest in serving your community by promoting the arts or if you have a suggestion for the Arts Council, please call (319) 447-3590 or email; remember to like us on Facebook to get updates on all our events out at Lowe Park.

Community Exhibit Opportunities

We are always looking for artists to exhibit for our featured artists events. If you are interested in being a featured artist or have any questions please email the Parks and Recreation Department.

Volunteers Welcome

Do you enjoy the arts? Are you looking for a way to help out in your community? Would you be interested in helping to promote the arts in Marion?

If your answers to the above questions are “yes” you may want to consider volunteering your time to become an associate member of the Marion Arts Council. Currently all seven full-member positions are filled, but additional volunteers are always welcome. Associate membership includes planning and assisting during workshops, hanging and taking down exhibits, hosting artist receptions and music events, distributing marketing materials and attending our monthly meetings.

For more information, call (319) 447-3590 or email.

Policy for Donating Art

We appreciate all inquiries for public art donations; however, we currently do not accept submissions. If you are interested in having your work shown at the center, please see our exhibit page for the application form. Once exhibited, we encourage all of our artists to donate a piece of their choosing, from their collection, at the conclusion of their exhibition period to add to our permanent collection. Our permanent collection is exhibited throughout the center or to supplement smaller exhibits.

Each artist's donated work is approved by following the Marion Arts Council’s and City of Marion’s “Art Acquisition Policy” procedure and approval of the Marion Arts Council.

Approved artwork which are gifts or bequests allow for a tax deduction on the part of the donor. The Marion Arts Council or the City of Marion will not provide formal appraisals on donated objects.