Chaffee Art Center

Mission Statement

The mission of the Rutland Area Art Association, Inc. is to make the visual arts an integral part of our community and region by:

• Providing education and instruction in the arts
• Exhibiting and marketing work of member artists
• Presenting the finest quality exhibitions
• Promoting the arts in our community

We are the visual arts resource for Central Vermont.

Founded in 1961, the Rutland Area Art Association, Inc. is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.

The Rutland Area Arts Association was founded in 1961 to promote the arts within the Rutland Community. Operations began in a Victorian mansion owned by one of Rutland's leading families, and so the organization's physical incarnation was christened the Chaffee Art Center.

Here is a brief history of the Chaffee Art Center written in 1972 by Katherine King Johnson (one of the four founders)

From a modest beginning, the Rutland Museum of the Arts developed into the Chaffee Art Center. A Center that embraces all of the arts and is appropriately housed in the impressive Chaffee residence located on Main Street. The Structure was built in 1895 by George Chaffee, a prominent and civic-minded business man. After serving as a family-dwelling, the house was closed for nearly 35 years until it was reopened in 1961 as a part of Rutland Bicentennial celebration.

The success of the Bicentennial endeavor prompted a small group of citizens to immediately form an association for the sole purpose of establishing a permanent art center in the area.

Now in its 12th year, this association also offers to the public, besides the main exhibition galleries; an affiliated year-round gallery at Cortina Inn, an annual out-door festival, art instruction, evening presentations of slide shows, painting demonstrations and symposiums as well as a series of performing arts events.

The Rutland Area Art Association Inc. is a non-profit enterprise financed by donations, memberships and commissions on sales. A grant by the City of Rutland and the loan of the building by the Chaffee family are important major contributions.

The active members backed by the Officers and a working Board of Trustees, who serve without remuneration, have perpetuated this venture. Further success depends upon the continued success cooperation and support of the entire community.

The Rutland Area Art Association has been operating the Chaffee Art Center for 50 Years. The building was purchased from the Chaffee family in 1982, and four years later it became a year round art center. The Chaffee Art Center continues to be the critical resource for visual arts and art education in Central Vermont.

Explore Related Categories