Wilmington Arts Council

Wilmington, MA > Wilmington Groups & Organizations > Wilmington Arts Council

address:219 Middlesex Avenue Wilmington, MA 01887 website:Wilmington Arts Council email:

In 1970, the Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council was established with the Megabucks Lottery providing the funding to give financial support for the arts in every city and town in Massachusetts. Local governments were to appoint arts councils. Our council was established in 1980 according to the states requirements. The first funding was distributed in 1982. Disbursements of allotments is done by guidelines set by Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council. Applications are submitted to the local council who then decides how the allotment will be divided.

When the old Town Hall became available, the Arts Councl expressed a desire to use it as an Art center so much more could be offered to the community. Adults and children at all ages could enroll in painting classes, dancing, singing, programs, demonstrations, lectures, concerts, etc. We were chosen by the selectmen to be caretakers of this lovely historic building. Many renovations have changed it from an office building to a working gallery to be proud of. The former Town Hall was built in 1845 by the Free Will Baptist Society. Its Baptismal Font is still visible in the cemetary at the back of the church. It has also been a "Select School" which taught students planning to go to college, a Grange Hall, a meeting place for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and most recently the Town Hall for many years.