At the Holland Area Arts Council, we are both a creative organization and a civic arts council - committed not only to presenting and teaching the arts, but to sustaining a thriving, inclusive arts ecosystem across the Lakeshore region. Our values are grounded in the belief that creativity is a public good and a cultural right. We believe the arts must be accessible to all people, not just as spectators but as participants and contributors to the cultural life of our community.

As a council, we serve as a connector, advocate, and resource - bringing together artists, educators, community leaders, and organizations to build a more equitable cultural infrastructure. We support artistic labor, champion cultural expression in all forms, and create opportunities for both emerging and established artists to share their work, develop professionally, and connect with audiences. We believe in investing in the local creative economy, amplifying underrepresented voices, and sustaining the conditions in which arts and culture can flourish.

We value collaboration over competition, and public access over exclusivity. We prioritize programming that is welcoming, culturally responsive, and community-driven. Whether through public art projects, free youth education, exhibitions, or regional partnerships, our work centers care, accountability, and creative agency. As an arts council, we see ourselves not just as a space for making and showing art - but as a convener, a bridge-builder, and a steward of cultural life in our region.