WELCOME!

Essex County Arts Council (ECAC) is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 for the purpose of promoting, developing and sustaining the cultural life of Essex County, NY communities. We serve artists and arts organizations in the expansive Essex County, which is one of only two New York counties completely within the six-million acre Adirondack State Park.

Essex County Arts Council promotes and advocates for a community rich in arts and culture by connecting artists, organizations and students with residents and visitors. Essex County Arts Council consists of organizations and individual artists with specialties in all arts-related media including Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Historical/Heritage Arts and Literary Arts. Events take place year-round. Check out our Google map, highlighting the many arts and cultural organizations in Essex County.

One of Essex County Arts Council's primary functions is administering the Cultural Assistance Program Grant open to arts and cultural organizations and funded by Essex County and the Essex County Board of Supervisors.  The Sunburst Award microgrant program offers awards of up to $500 for career opportunities for individual artists of all disciplines and ages in our region.

ECAC partners with area organizations of all types to ensure a rich and thriving arts environment for our residents and the thousands of visitors to this beautiful region.  We work closely with Adirondack A&E, a powerful arts and entertainment information and resource guide for the Adirondacks, covering art and craft galleries, the performing arts including theatre, concerts and musical performances, museums, restaurants, nightclubs and breweries. ADK A&E includes a free thrice-weekly e-newsletter for subscribers, and a website with a directory of arts and entertainment establishments and organizations, and a calendar of performances, activities and events inside the Blue Line. You can check out their website by clicking the logo.

As a non-profit organization, we rely on tax-deductible contributions and memberships to fund and support our mission. If you are a lover of the arts in Essex County, please consider what you can do to help support our mission.

ECAC receives generous support from the Johnson Family Foundation, Stewarts Shops, and the Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation.  Thank you!