The Des Plaines Arts Council was founded in 1997 to promote involvement and appreciation of the arts. It is a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization which operates as an umbrella group for many community arts organizations and events including the Summer Concert Series in Lake Park, the Community Mural Project, Lake/Winter Wonderland, Family Fest and The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce After Hours program.

The Arts Council has made a special effort to encourage young people to pursue their creative talents by awarding scholarships. Each year the Council provides $3000 in scholarships to students from 4th grade through High School, and since 1997 has given over $50,000 in arts scholarships.

The Arts Council also publishes and distributes the Des Plaines Arts Calendar three times a year. This publication serves as an unique source of information for all arts events in the community including programs hosted by the City of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Art Guild, the Des Plaines Camera Club, the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Des Plaines Park District, the Des Plaines Public Library, the Des Plaines Garden Club, the Des Plaines History Center, the Des Plaines Senior Center, the Fine Arts Departments of Maine East and Maine West, the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Oakton Community College and many more arts providers and supporters.