Chequamegon Bay Arts Council

is the acronym, pronounced SEE-bock, for Chequamegon Bay Arts Council, a coalition of individuals, groups, community based organizations, and area businesses interested in supporting and nurturing the arts and to enliven, entertain, and increase the quality of life in the Chequamegon Bay region.

CBAC provides its members with benefits like seminars & professional development, grants & scholarships, newsletters, art exhibitions, and annual events (see calendar).

The Chequemagon Bay Arts Council is a non-profit volunteer organization promoting the arts in northern Wisconsin.

vision statement

For every person to be enriched by the arts!

In 1981 the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council was established as a division of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and recognized as a 501(c)(3). The all-volunteer group successfully brought entertainment to the community for a few years until the primary leader moved away. During the next few years members provided volunteer support for Northland College’s Arts and Letters performances.

After a number of dormant years, the Arts Council was reactivated by the Ashland Chamber and the Wisconsin Arts Board at a special meeting held March 29, 1993. A planning grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board Community supported a comprehensive community arts assessment process. The outcome of the planning grant was a strategic plan that set the course that we are still maintaining (see below).

It took until 2001 to have enough money in the treasury to incorporate. We renewed our 501(c)(3) status in February 2003.

During the intervening years we made steady progress to the strategic planning goals adopted in May 1995.

Goal 1: Increase knowledge of the local arts by establishing effective communication.
We maintain an effective voice for the arts with our newsletter, calendar, press releases, public meetings, on-going advocacy, and this web site. We have a strong, well-trained all-volunteer board and a budget to support activities.

Goal 2: Develop new audiences and advocates by increasing the number of people participating in meaningful cultural arts activities.
We expand the number of formal and informal arts offerings, support projects with grant funds, develop partnerships with community organizations, and support school arts projects.

Goal 3: Assist artists and community organizations in realizing their artistic potential, becoming self sustaining and contributing to the vitality of the larger community.
We enhance artist’s viability by providing opportunities for public exposure and information on good business practices. We promote artists with a directory, public exhibits, and this website, We explore and support new public and private performance and gallery opportunities.