Essex County Arts Council (ECAC) has championed the arts in Essex County, NY since 1983.

Set entirely within the Adirondack Park and rooted in resilient small-town communities, Essex County is a place where artists are shaped by the land, drawn by its beauty, and inspired to build something extraordinary. Here, a distinctly rural arts culture thrives.

We bring together artists, organizations, students, residents, and visitors to keep Essex County buzzing with creativity all year long. From performances and visual art to stories, heritage traditions, and everything in between, ECAC celebrates and supports creativity in every form.

We invest in the arts.
Each year, the Essex County Board of Supervisors invests public funding in our local arts community. ECAC directs those dollars into Cultural Assistance Program (CAP) Grants, supporting impactful arts and cultural organizations across Essex County.

Generous support from individual donors, local businesses, and regional and state foundations powers the Sunburst Award microgrant program, providing funding to artists of all disciplines and at every stage of their careers.

We build partnerships.
ECAC partners with regional organizations like Adirondack A&E to help artists and groups connect with audiences. By sharing events and highlighting local talent, we strengthen the arts community and keep it vibrant for both residents and visitors, fueling creativity and sparking opportunity.

Join us, explore, create, and be part of the thriving arts story of Essex County.

As a non-profit organization, we rely on tax-deductible contributions and memberships to fund and support our mission. If you are a lover of the arts in Essex County, please consider what you can do to help support our mission.

ECAC receives generous support from the Johnson Family Foundation, Stewarts Shops, and the Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation.  Thank you!