Waltham Arts Council

In the spring of 1975, Dr. Frederick J. Stokley, Superintendent of the Waltham High Schools, invited over one hundred people to attenda series of meetings with the purpose of forming an Arts Council in Waltham. Subsequently, an acting Board of Directors was formed and began working on the tasks of writing By-Laws, becoming incorporated as a non-profit organization with tax exempt status, planning for an Arts Festival, presenting art programs, publicizing art events in the community and seeking funds.

In October, and afternoon tea was held at the Robert Treat Paine House attended by over three hundre people to publically announce the formation of the Waltham Arts Council.

The first major fundraising activity was a concert in April by Arthur Feidler and the Boston Pops. Held in the auditorium of the Waltham High School. The next major activity funded by the Council was an Arts Festival held on May 30, 1976 where over one thousand volunteers presented a variety of programs to over five thousand children and adults.

Now, The Waltham Arts Council continues presenting the yearly Free Summer Concerts, continuing Art classes for the community and expanding programs and events in they years to come.