Wilmington
Arts Council
In 1980, the Massachusetts Arts Lottery Council was established with the Massachusetts Lottery providing the funding to give financial support for the arts in every city and town in Massachusetts. Local governments were to appoint arts councils. Our council was established in 1980 according to the state’s requirements. The first funding was distributed in 1982. Disbursement of allotments is done by guidelines set by Massachusetts Cultural Council. Applications are submitted to the local council who then decides how the allotment will be divided.
When the old Town Hall became available, the Arts Council expressed a desire to use it as an Art Center, where much more could be offered to the community. Adults and children of all ages could enroll in painting classes, dancing, singing, programs, demonstrations, lectures, concerts, etc. The Arts Council brought the request to the annual Town Meeting in 1986. The town voted to give this lovely historic building to the Arts Council for their use. Over the years, renovations have changed it from an office building to a functioning arts gallery and concert venue for the entire community.
The former Town Hall was built in 1845 by the Free Will Baptist Society. Its Baptismal Font is still visible in the cemetery behind the church. It has also been a "Select School" which taught students planning to go to college, a Grange Hall, a meeting place for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and most recently the Town Hall for many years.
