The Keokuk Art Center was organized in
the early 1950’s by a group of local
artists for the primary purpose of
promoting the visual arts within the
community. The organization
incorporated in 1967, and since
that time, has continued to
provide an environment for the
growth of the visual arts within
the Tri-State area. The center is
managed by a board of
directors which meets on
a month basis, and is
supported financially
by local business
and industry,
employing an
executive
director
in 1977.

The Art Center
shares a building with the Keokuk Public Library at
210 North 5th Street, and offers an annual calendar
of exhibitions, classes and programs. Monthly exhibits
are displayed within the center’s galleries and a
variety of lectures, demonstrations and recitals are
scheduled throughout the year. The University of Iowa,
Western Illinois University, and Quincy University all
have excellent outreach programs offering quality
instructors for classes and workshops. An annual juried
exhibit is heal during May at the center, giving area
artists an opportunity to display their work within a
gallery setting.