The mission of the Monroe Arts Center is threefold: to nurture an appreciation for the arts, to aid individual creative development, and to ensure the preservation and integrity of our historic facility.

Our Mission Statement keeps our purpose in sharp focus. All of our energy is directed toward these three goals.

Our work to "nurture an appreciation for the arts" is perhaps the most visible to the casual observer. Many people know us primarily for our annual Entertainment Season and gallery exhibits, but these are only a part of our story.

Our outreach to area students is an important and growing part of our service to the arts. In 1998 we established the Artways Youth Gallery to encourage and support artistic expression by students in kindergarten through high school. We also arrange for many of the artists in our annual Entertainment Series to perform for children in area schools.

Our efforts to provide access to the arts through professional performances and gallery exhibits are only a small part of our efforts "to aid in individual creative development." We also serve this purpose with programs such as our annual Wisconsin Regional Arts Program Workshop, MAC Photography Contest, Holiday Sampler, and Talent Showcase. We are exceptionally fortunate to have such a wonderful venue for these varied activities.

The preservation and integrity of our historic facility" will always be central to everything we do. Our building provides the venue for much of the service we provide and is a rare and beautiful artistic expression in itself. In recent years our fundraising efforts have given a high priority to the restoration of this unique property, and the local community has responded generously. The Monroe Arts Center building is currently in superb condition.

We have established a Building Maintenance Fund for the sole purpose of ensuring that this remarkable structure continues to enjoy good health and can continue to house the vital cultural life that we all enjoy within its walls.