About Wayne Art Center

Our Mission

Dedicated to enriching our community through the arts, the mission of Wayne Art Center is to afford artists and the broader community an interdisciplinary venue to explore, share and learn, while fostering a sense of community for arts education and appreciation.

History

Wayne Art Center was established in 1931 at the height of the Great Depression. Its founders envisioned an intimate gathering place where the community could find “food for the soul” through opportunities to engage in and share their creative endeavors and self-expression. As interest and participation grew, so too did its programming. Over the next two decades, the Center moved several times to accommodate its growth and finally purchased its fourth and final home on Maplewood Avenue in 1955.

The first building at Wayne Art Center’s current location was a modest concrete structure. In the years following, the surrounding townships experienced tremendous population growth, and at the same time, the Center experienced overwhelming demand for additional classes and programs. To accommodate its burgeoning community, the Center completed its first major capital campaign in 1995, raising $1,000,000 to fund a building expansion project that tripled the size of the original facility. The Center grew from 2,600 to 9,000 square feet, adding five studios, three offices, a small kitchen, storage space, and the Center’s first dedicated exhibition gallery space.

By 1999, Wayne Art Center was already reaching capacity again. Fortuitously, the neighboring Masonic Hall became available. Through generous community support, the Center was able to purchase this property, which added another 9,000 square feet of usable space. In 2007, the Center completed its second major capital campaign to fund another building expansion project that renovated the Masonic Hall, connected it to the original facility, and added additional studio, gallery, and administrative space that resulted in the development of its current three-building 30, 000 square foot campus. This allowed the Center to offer more classes, enroll more students, host more exhibitions, and reach out to more of the community.

In 2010, the Center launched “Advancing the Vision”, a campaign to build its endowment, fund capital improvements, and implement a major beautification project that created six new gardens installed over three acres, where it now holds art programs and welcomes visitors to enjoy the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Today, Wayne Art Center is one of the most vibrant art centers in the region. We are proud to have continuously served the cultural needs of our community for nearly a century.

Vision Statement

Wayne Art Center strives to create an inclusive and welcoming community where lives are transformed and enriched through the shared experience of art.

Core Values