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Arts Council to Shut Down

The front window of the Arts Council Gallery on Main St. in Evansville, IN
John Gibson
/
WNIN News
The front window of the Arts Council Gallery on Main St. in Evansville, IN

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana will fold at the end of the year, with its major programs to be picked up by the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library

The Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana is closing its doors at the end of this year and sending its programs to the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. WNIN’s John Gibson has details:

Arts Council Executive Director Anne McKim says funding is always an issue:

"I feel like people were very generous but it's just expensive to operate an organization."

Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025
John Gibson
/
WNIN News
Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025

McKim also notes the council has lost some support:

"We have lost access to quite a bit of public money that came through a levy that no longer exists. There's nothing to be done about that."

Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025
John Gibson
/
WNIN News
Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025

And McKim says the council is not a money-maker:

"When you don't have an earned income model, so everything we do is free and open to the public."

Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025
John Gibson
/
WNIN News
Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025

But ARTSWIN emphasizes its “essential programming” will move to the EVPL.

Those include concerts featuring local musicians, Gallery Exhibits showcasing local and regional artists, Artist Services, Marketing and Promotion of Arts Opportunities, and Regional Arts Advocacy.

Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025
John Gibson
/
WNIN News
Part of the "Spooky Show" exhibit at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana gallery at 212 Main St., Evansville, IN, Oct. 22, 2025

The council says the final two events at its gallery at 212 Main St. will be the popular Spooky Show featuring an artist reception this Saturday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., and the annual Holiday Sale, which kicks off in mid-November.

The Arts Council has served southwest Indiana for 55 years.