In February 2005, following the first Festival of Fine Art at Anthem, a group of community leaders, educators, performing groups, artist, and art lovers convened to discuss forming the Arts Council for the North Valley. After research and discussions with other arts councils and the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an initial Board was put in place. A name and the provisional Charter, Mission and Vision statements were decided upon.

The mission of the Arts Council of the North Valley is to provide leadership in support of artistic excellence, understanding and education of the arts, and to nurture the cultural life and vitality of our community.

By the end of May the Arizona Corporation Commission approved the Articles and the 501(c)(3) was filed. Major goals and Chair people were set in the areas of Education, Finance, Strategic Plan, Marketing, Facilities, Fundraising, and Programming.

The Arizona Commission on the Arts grant was approved for a consultant to conduct a Community Cultural Inventory. A survey was developed and distributed, focus groups conducted and a final report presented to the Board in April 2006.

Today the ACNV is an active and energetic force in the broader north valley. Through Board development, active volunteer participation, breadth of programs, public outreach, and membership expansion, the organization maintains its momentum and is becoming an integral and vital part of the community. The organization's accomplishments have demonstrated their continued focus on the platforms of the ACNV’s mission statement.