What is the Allied Arts Council?

The Allied Arts Council of St. Joseph, Missouri exists "to bring arts and people together."  Founded in 1963, the Council is one of the oldest in the State of Missouri and is acknowledged statewide as an arts leader. In 1990, the City of St. Joseph designated the Allied Arts Council as the City's official community arts agency.  Operated with a staff of four and a volunteer base approaching 2,000, the Council takes the lead in our community in organizing, fund-raising, advocating, educating, and servicing the local arts community.

Organizational membership in the Council is open to non-profit agencies who provide arts related activities. Currently fourteen arts and cultural agencies are members.  As an umbrella agency, the Council assists with scheduling, funding, and marketing for all member agencies. The Council is also working with the city of St. Joseph to increase marketing for the major performing arts center in the city, The Missouri Theater.

The Council provides educational programs, art exhibits, summer youth arts programs, and operates the annual Trails West!® arts festival.