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.

The Strategic Plan was developed and approved in June 2006, the first ACNV brochure was developed and distributed, the 2007 Festival/Gala Planning Committee was put in place, and a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts was approved for multidisciplinary programming at the Festival.

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 following accomplishments demonstrate continued focus on the platforms of the ACNV’s mission statement:

Support artistic excellence:

The Festival of Fine Art at Anthem has been held each January for the past 4 years. The juried art show and sale features top Arizona artists and notable performing arts groups including Ballet Arizona, Arizona Opera, and the Arizona Broadway Theatre, Pete Pancrazi Trio, Meadowlark and more. Arrays of arts are presented including sculpture, ceramics, varied media painting, and jewelry. Over the past four years over 17,000 people attended the Festival, which involved more than 600 volunteers.

In the 2007-08 season, the ACNV expanded its programming to include international performers and nationally-known groups.

Support understanding and education of the arts:

The Education and Scholarship committee has conducted auditions and portfolio reviews for Creative Arts Scholarships and Awards for the past 3 years; awards were presented at the Galas each January. Sixteen recipients have received scholarships representing 5 high schools and including awards in visual art, drama, technical theatre, and music. A Regional Teen Art Competition involving 5 high schools has been part of the Festival for the past two years. Awards have been given to Best of Shows and Honorable Mentions. Creation Stations for younger children were available and engaged them in the creative process.

The ACNV sponsored two drawing workshops for teens at area libraries and master classes in dance by Nikolais Dance Theatre as performed by Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and music by The Kent Camerata.

The Council is also sponsoring “The Right Brain Train,” an elementary school lesson plan written by a board member and addressing the history and practical applications of visual, literary, performing arts, and music.

Nurture the cultural life and vitality of the community:

The ACNV has expanded its Arts Affiliates to 11 and helps promote their organizations and programs through its expanded web site and mailings of a consolidated Cultural Calendar.

The ACNV received a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts to help defray the cost of a consultant to assist in honing the strategic plan for developing an arts center in the north valley. In May 2007, the council hired part-time staff to support its operations, which include publicity through the website, emails to members and the distribution of Cultural Calendars to over 6,000 art enthusiasts in the valley.

As its major fundraising activity, the ACNV has held three Black Tie Gala and Charity Auctions over the past three years. In 2007, the ACNV inaugurated "Appetizing Arts", intimate gatherings of innovative artists and supporters.