About OAC
"The Mission of the Owatonna Arts Center is to offer high quality art programs, to welcome and nurture talent, to provide educational opportunities, and to embrace the diversity of our community with meaningful art experiences for all."
Gallery Admission is always FREE
Hours:
Tuesday -Sunday 1-5
Closed Mondays
We strive to offer a variety of classes for all ages and skill-levels. Our instructors are focused on providing an art experience that is sure to inspire you and nurture your talent.
The OAC is host to several Youth, Family and Holiday events throughout the year. We invite you to attend. Members are eligible for reduced fees.
We offer space for you events. Please visit our Facility Rental page for more information. Some member levels offer reduced fee for the use of our facility.
-
Classes
-
Youth Programs
-
Family Events
-
Gallery Shows
-
Holiday Events
-
Shower, Wedding, Reunion, Graduation...
-
Gatherings of all types!
In 1974, the City of Owatonna purchased the campus of the former Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children which had been in operation from 1886 until 1945.
Beginning in 1945, the orphanage was phased out and renamed the Owatonna State School. This school provided academic and vocational training to the states mentally disabled. The School closed in 1970. The site was renamed West Hills, and now serves as an administrative center for the City of Owatonna, as well as housing several non-profit organizations in the various historic buildings. The main building was built in 1886 at a cost of $50,000, and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
After the buildings of the former State School had stood empty for several years, a group of Owatonnans, intent on finding a home for a community arts organization, walked through the empty forgotten rooms at the rear of the main building and could visualize musicians performing, rooms filled with paintings, decorative objects, and workrooms utilizing long- forgotten equipment with young and old learning new artistic skills. This was soon to become a reality.
The Owatonna Arts Center was founded as a 501(c)3 corporation in 1974, under the direction of Mary Leach, with artistic flair being supplied by Marianne Young. The first boards of OAC rolled up their sleeves and set out to clean and restore the facility, and invited the community to join in to become a part. Members, businesses, and volunteers all contributed their time and donations to the cause.
The OAC makes its home in the main building of the West Hills complex and has as its mission "to make the arts accessible to the community and to promote creativity." The Arts Center has become one of the top arts organizations in Greater Minnesota.
HISTORY
