The Beloit Art Center (BAC) tagline, “Finding Creativity Within”, celebrates the heart of the organization as they mark their 25th anniversary in 2025. For twenty-five years the art center has been located in downtown Beloit, the cultural center of the city. BAC promotes cultural events and arts education that caters to a diverse audience and artists at all stages of their careers – from high school students and emerging artists to seasoned professionals. A free art gallery, free monthly gallery receptions, art classes, and low-cost studio space for area artists are all offered through the BAC.

BAC is housed in two-story building originally built in 1912 as the home for the Bell Telephone Company. In 1999, the Beloit Economic Development Corporation purchased the building on behalf of the Beloit Fine Arts Incubator. In 2017 the name was changed to Beloit Art Center and in 2020 the center purchased the building from the city.

Led by a strong and dedicated group of local board members and staffed primarily by volunteers, BAC has been working to position themselves to grow their offerings and to improve and care for their iconic home. In 2024 they embarked on a formal effort to raise and invest $208,000 in their facility. In October, the Hendricks Family Foundation committed a $30,000 gift to support BAC’s Building Improvements Project and pledged an additional $20,000 in matching funds to challenge BAC to raise at least $10,000 more.

“Arts are an important part of a thriving community,” said Diane Hendricks, President of the Hendricks Family Foundation. “Our team has seen the Beloit Art Center do the slow and steady work of growing their organization, including the important work of growing their base of friends and supporters. They have not only been able to expand their programming but also committed their own resources to support a capital improvement project. Our goal is to acknowledge their hard work and to provide the support and encouragement that will enable them to continue to grow.”

A gem of a community asset, the BAC is an example of how a small, volunteer-based organization can build organizational capacity that allows it to stretch and grow and most importantly, can help ensure a thriving community. What began 25 years ago as an initiative to assist in downtown revitalization has become a beloved community institution deeply established in Beloit’s artistic and cultural life.