Springfield Regional Arts Council

05/26/2026

Every year, at our annual June Block Party, the Arts Council has the honor of presenting checks to support worthy organizations that carry out arts and culture initiatives across the Springfield area. This is made possible by our Arts and Culture Grant Program, utilizing a portion of the local hotel/motel tax, along with contributions from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation. The Arts Council believes that art-focused non-profits are the heartbeat of building a creative and healthy community. We're so lucky to live in a palce where people care about programs that grow the arts, and we are proud to assist these organizations in a very tangible way.

Come to the Creamery Arts Center on June 5, 5-7 PM to witness our Grant Ceremony, as well as our Summer In The Ozarks exhibition and our Q***r Artist showcase in partnership with the Glo Center!

05/21/2026

Say hello to Claire Utley, our Program Manager!

Claire started interning at the Arts Council in 2021, and we loved her so much that we gave her a full-time position in 2022, locked the doors, and haven’t let her out since. Claire is the reason you see beautiful art in so many spaces in Springfield. She curates and coordinates all of our corporate art, and First Friday shows at the Creamery. She also coordinates all of the First Friday Artwalk shows. Claire is probably the one you’ve spoken to if you’re an artist vending at Artsfest, or at any of our shows. It’s obvious to anyone who meets Claire that she is passionate about art and community; she knows just about everything there is to know about artists in Springfield. She greets both fun tasks and challenges with the same attitude.

Claire is a fiber artist in her free time, and the Riksha’s most loyal patron. She is often behind the scenes, so we’re very pleased to give her the public credit she deserves today.

05/20/2026

We’re excited about our Annual Block Party! The Block Party is an exhibition at the Creamery featuring art that exudes this year’s theme, Summer In The Ozarks. This is also the night of our Arts and Education Grants Awards Ceremony! Additionally, this year, the Block Party coincides with our exhibition in partnership with the Glo Center and their Q***r Artist Showcase in our upstairs gallery.

This will be an amazing night with art, music, and creative non-profits receiving much-deserved financial support. What a way to kick off a summer with the Arts Council!

05/19/2026

Turns out, the arts help you live longer. So some would say, the Arts Council helps you live longer. You can't argue with science.

Eat well and exercise. That's the classic advice for living a long, healthy life. A new study suggests another habit to add to the list: Let your creative juices flow.

05/19/2026

Extra! Extra! Our very own Executive Director is the feature for SBJ's People You Need to Know in June, and boy, we couldn't agree more. Leslie said it best. Art is an essential part of a thriving community. Despite constant threats of budget cuts, Leslie pursues, and diligently maintains that art is pivotal for a healthy and forward-thinking city. Our community has a lot to thank Leslie Forrester for, and a lot to learn from her expertise. On June 16, 2026, at The Backlot at Alamo Drafthouse, Leslie will be doing a live interview with the Springfield Business Journal. This will be a great time to hear more about the Arts Council and to meet Leslie in person.

Purchase tickets for the event here! https://info.sbj.net/june-2026-people-you-need-to-know-checkout-page

Alamo Drafthouse Springfield
Springfield Business Journal

05/18/2026

Springfield Regional Arts Council is here to promote art of all kinds in our community. We believe that a community thrives when it is full of art, music, creative events, and interactive experiences. We are here to elevate creative endeavors in our community, along with putting on events of our own, and doing our best to help other art programs and non-profits succeed.

Following along with our mission will help connect you to your community. We’ll tell you what’s going on and how to be a part of it❤️