Why should we invest in a small town art center when we, ourselves, are struggling financially?
Because of generous donations, the Albert Lea Art Center occupies its own accessible building, provides a community area where groups can gather for meetings, holds classes for all types of artistic interests, showcases art from local and regional artists, including artists who also have had their art hanging in Florida and the Smithsonian, provides scholarships to high school seniors and displays our children’s talent freely and comfortably.
Investing in the Albert Lea Art Center is an investment in Freeborn County because it is a central focal point with tracks connecting to various opportunities for growth.
Some of these tracks circulate funds directly back into the community through classes, art sales and free gallery shows by professionals in the community and the region. Many of us didn’t grow up with the opportunity to learn how to paint or draw because art funding was cut in our schools. Now we have a low-cost way to learn in an accepting accessible environment.
Some of these tracks draw nonlocal visitors to our community.