Guide to the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council Records, 1982-2018

Overview of the Collection

Repository:
Special Collections & Archives
McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
P.O. Box 4004
105 Garfield Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004
(715)-836-2739
https://library.uwec.edu/archives/

Reference Code: USGZE UHC 373

Accession Number: 20-005

Collection Number: University Historical Collection 373

Creator: Eau Claire Regional Arts Council

Title: Eau Claire Regional Arts Council Records

Dates: 1982-2018

Quantity: 3.2 linear feet (8 archives boxes)

Location of Collection: B6/3b

Languages: Collection materials are in English.

Summary: The Eau Claire Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) was founded in 1982 and continued until 2018. ECRAC restored the State Theater and operated there, bringing touring shows to the area and providing a venue for local theater groups to perform. The organization advocated for the arts and helped establish the Eau Claire art scene. This collection includes board meeting minutes, State Theater remodeling documents, local show programing, and various promotional materials.

Biographical/Historical Note

The Eau Claire Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) was formed in 1982. At the time of its conception, there were four different community theater groups within a thirty-mile radius of Eau Claire. Understanding that the area would benefit from an organization that would be the collective voice for representing and advocating for the arts, ECRAC was created.

Shortly after the creation, ECRAC acquired the deed of the historic State Theater in downtown Eau Claire. The State Theater opened in 1926, as a vaudeville theater (WPT Presents: History of Eau Claire's State Theatre, 2012). With the rise of motion pictures and the fall of vaudeville, the place ended up converting to a movie theater. This theater closed in the early 1980’s, and the building sat unused until the owners contacted ECRAC.

A variety of committees were formed in ECRAC, with each focusing on different sectors of the organization. Some of the most influential committees included advocacy, educational, and building. Through these committees, ECRAC was able to push for more arts in local schools, create an annual arts award program for the community, lobby the government on arts related issues, and restore the State Theater to a performing arts center.

Once the theater was reopened, ECRAC used it as its central hub. The theater itself became self-supporting within a short amount of time and became an integral part of the community. Along with local theater organizations, touring shows were brought in to the venue to perform.

In the mid 2000’s the State Theater again started to go into disrepair. It was determined that the cost of restoring it again was not worth the venture (Confluence Center is Coming Together, 2018). Thus, the Confluence Center project was unveiled to replace it. The project consisted of transforming part of downtown into a new space for people to use, with a new theater, apartments, and a large paved space by the river to enjoy the scenery. After years of funding and building, the Pablo Confluence Center was built just a few blocks away from the State Theater. ECRAC merged with the new Confluence Council, to help continue with the growth of the arts in Eau Claire.

Content Description

The material from this collection dates from 1982-2018 and include board meeting minutes, committee minutes and reports, annual meeting reports, State Theater remodeling documents, show and season programs, and various pictures and promotional items.

The materials from this collection span the years of 1982 to 2018. In this collection, the evolution of the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council is documented, starting from the creation and ending with their final season thirty-six years later. The category of materials includes board meeting minutes, committee minutes and reports, annual meeting reports, State Theater remodeling documents, show and season programs, and various pictures, newspaper clippings, and promotional items.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information: Donated to the Special Collections & Archives, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire by Pam Rasmussen in January 2018.

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions: Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Preferred Citation: Eau Claire Regional Arts Council Records, 1982-2018. UHC 373. Special Collections & Archives. McIntyre Library. University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Eau Claire, WI.

Processing Note: Processed by Erin Hall in October 2019

Arrangement: Flat arrangement.

Subjects

Personal Names: N/A

Corporate Names: Eau Claire Regional Arts Council, Eau Claire Regional Arts Center, The State Theater, Eau Claire Regional Arts Holding, ECRAC

Subject Terms: Theater, State Theater, ECRAC, Arts

Geographical Terms: Eau Claire, Eau Claire region, Chippewa Valley

Detailed List of Contents

Series 1: Board and committee minutes, agendas, and related materials

Description: Contains meeting minutes from the annual meetings, board meetings, and committee meetings.

Dates: 1982-2011, bulk 1982-2006

Extent: 0.8 linear feet (2 archives boxes)

Series 2: State Theater Remodeling

Description: Contains documents from the Regional Arts Holding Inc., Building Committee minutes, progress meeting notes, remodeling photos, and renovation project manuals

Dates:1987-1990

Extent: 0.4 Linear feet (1 archives box)

Series 3: Organization event materials and supplemental information

Description: Contains newsletters, promotional materials, volunteer and employee guidelines, programs, visual artist slide bank, and photos

Dates:1983-2018

Extent: 2.0 Linear feet (5 archives boxes)