Willits Center for the Arts

About

In 1993 the City of Willits formed a Cultural Arts Commission of seven members who, with the help of volunteers, focused on renovating the historic Women’s Improvement Club building (circa 1926) into a cultural arts center for the community. Over seven years, countless volunteer hours and many fund-raising events, the downstairs galleries and classrooms were opened in February 2000.  Eight years later the upstairs great room was opened, increasing our gallery space, and providing a performance space and a venue for community and private events. In 2015, the Willits Center for the Arts officially became a 501(c)(3) corporation, and the City of Willits transferred the operations of the Center to a dynamic board of directors, driven by our mission and inspired by our vision.

Our Mission Statement

The Willits Center for the Arts’ mission is to promote active community enrichment and participation in artistic expression and diverse cultural events in Mendocino County by providing a public space for gallery shows, arts activities, and education.

Willits Center for the Arts Equity Statement (2021)

We acknowledge the heritage of the Pomo, Maidu, Yuki, Wailaki and other Northern California Tribes who were placed on nearby reservations in the place we inhabit.

We acknowledge the complex historical migration and economic trends that have influenced the current unique diverse and dynamic population make up of our vibrant rural community that also includes seasonal and itinerant agricultural workers.

We acknowledge the women who built the historic Women's Improvement Club building that we inhabit.   

We acknowledge the visionary creative artists and performers who bravely sought over 21 years ago to establish a free-standing member supported art gallery and arts center in our small rural town. 

We acknowledge the women-led mixed gender and sexual orientation board who formalized our not-for-profit status and continue to lead us into a new era since 2015.

Logging, cannabis, and other agricultural and farming economies along with outsized dedicated ongoing volunteer spirit are among the sources of wealth that made this art center possible. 

We acknowledge the ongoing critical support of the City of Willits government and population.

Keeping in mind the unique population mix of our community, city, and county and our mission to promote active community enrichment and participation in artistic expression and cultural events in Mendocino County by providing a public space for gallery shows, arts activities, and education, we commit to continuing to challenge our historical practices and decisions to increase our inclusivity and further the objective of equity within our organization, community, city and county because it is just, sacred and evolved to do so.

Here is the Census data for 2019