About

The Clear Lake Arts Center is a community-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt arts organization in Clear Lake, Iowa serving North Central Iowa through a variety of programming in the visual, performing, and literary arts.

Located in beautiful downtown Clear Lake, Iowa, the Arts Center houses art galleries, a gift shop with the work of local and regional artists, studios for adult and youth art classes, a performing arts wing, and the Sukup Lakeside Courtyard – featuring multiple new sculptures yearly for all to enjoy.


History

Originally organized as the Clear Lake Arts Council in 1977, it was not until 2002 that it opened its first facility in a downtown storefront at 213 Main Avenue, property owned by the City of Clear Lake awaiting redevelopment. The project evolved from a group of artists paying rent for space to market their art while maintaining an office for the Clear Lake Arts Council. At this time, they adopted the name Clear Lake Arts Center. As interest developed, a part time executive director was hired. This brought about the development of educational classes and art programming. In 2005, the Main Avenue property neared demolition, leading to a search for a new home and the eventual acquisition of a former bank built in 1970 at 17 South 4th Street. Reconstruction and additions by the Clear Lake Arts Center were completed and the building opened in March of 2007, with funding by a campaign called Arts Reach.

Fall Hours

Tuesday-Saturday 10 am – 4 pm

Mail

P.O. Box 803
Clear Lake, IA 50428

Phone

(641) 357-1998


Mission & More

Mission

We ignite the creative spirit by engaging the diverse community we serve and our regional audience by providing opportunities and inspiration through the visual, performing, and literary arts.

Vision

We will make the Clear Lake Arts Center a dynamic and vibrant hub to promote and preserve creativity as part of every human’s daily life.

Values

Community

We welcome and engage all members of our diverse community by seeking your input, listening with respect, and offering a variety of activities.

Inclusion

We invite everyone to bring their creativity and uniqueness to the table. We encourage curiosity, considering other perspectives, and working together.

Wholeheartedness

We care about what we do and the community we serve. We are compassionate, kind, sincere, respectful, and dedicated to lifting each other up.


Gift Shop

The Clear Lake Arts Center’s gift shop offers a unique selection of handmade and curated art and gift items. We are proud to support regional artists by offering original artwork and fine crafts. We currently support over 50 artists from the region and also have a curated selection of unique greeting cards, gourmet snacks, games, puzzles, books, and soaps.

If you are interested in offering your unique handmade items and art in our gift shop, please, download and review the Gift Shop Contract.


Facility Rental

The Clear Lake Arts Center has several spaces available to rent for meetings and special events from small to large. Please, use the link to download the updated rental guidelines. For more information call 641-357-1998 or email info@clearlakeartscenter.org.

The Sukup Performing Arts Wing

Different layouts can work for weddings and other events that require fan seating, or the space can accommodate banquet style seating with up to 8 seats each table.

Audio & Visual Equipment is available upon request. It is recommended to use your own laptop for presentations or videos.

Catering can be brought in, and we have an onsite kitchen for last-minute preparations. Our handicap entrance makes bringing in supplies easy and hassle-free.

Submission of an inquiry does not reserve your date or time. You will be called or emailed about pricing and reservation. Your reservation is not complete until submission of final paperwork and deposit.


People

Employees

Deb Mitchell, Administration Manager

Board of Directors

Diane Ostendorf, President

Mike Sogard, Treasurer

Kathy Ingram

Jim Kerns

Tom Dakin

Members

Dan & Liz Alsbury, Rosemary Alsbury, Jack & Deb Amble, Jean & Jeff Bergo, Jane Broghammer, Judy Butler, Kathy Cessna, Art Ciccotti, John & Elizabeth Cherry, Bev Clapsaddle, James & Cheri Clark, Nancy Conroy, Toni & Tom Dakin, Tom & Christy DeBartolo, Becke Dorenbush, Mike & Sherri Eddy, Denise Essman, Donna Etchen, Julie Farland, Tracey Fossey, Delores & Glenn Frederick, Tyler Ginther, Rita Goranson, Jan Green, Dan Grunwald, Joanne Hardinger, Terry Harrison, Mike Hassig, Chris Hauge, Gabe & Carolyn Haugland, Gloria Hilker, Elizabeth Hohn, Chris & Kristy Holland, Dave & Linda Hopper, Ron & Shery Johnson, Kristie Kaiser Frudden, Nancy Kelsey, Santh & Jim Kerns, Kirk Kraft, Beth Benesh & Emily Kraft, Bob & Louise Krogh, Brad & Ann Kunst, Kim Larsen, Collette Lorentzen, Mark & Kendall Lundberg, Jim & Judy Lyster, Barbara McCaulley, Mary Moeller, Clayton Moritz, Becky Murray, Ron & Debra Netten, Gary & Sandy Nyhus, Stuart & Julie Oltrogge, Mariah Piippo, Ronald & Pamela Pitkin, Cheryl Powell, Colleen Rhodes, Barbara Roberts, Eley Schmidt, Patricia Severson, Deborah & Zoey Sharar, Karen & Mike Sogard, Elda Stone, Diana Symonds, Ronald & Vicki Wagner, Jim & Jeannie Wahl, Lee Walston, Deborah Wessels, Lori Wickman, Becky Wilharm, Dianne Woodard, Mary Young, Ben Zickefoose, 21st Century Club

Tom & Mary Alexander, Blake & Nancy Barnes, Byron & Ann Beasley, Jim & Karen Beckwith, Gloria Beeman, Krista Billhorn, Dr. Robert & Ann Borgman, Matt Berry & Jean Casey, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Tim & Pam Coffey, Joanne Cutler, Donna Dull, Mary & Mike Earley, Gene & Dorothy Evans, Ken & Paula Hanus, James Harman, Jim & Dee Hasty, Carol Johnson Horstman, Jim & Rhonda Juhlin, James & Linda Karkos, Dick & Linda Kehrt, Craig & Brenda Kienast, Cynthia Kimball, Sue & Doug Kmetz, John Larsen, Deb & George Milligan, Marvin & Kayla Myers, Wendy & Sid Niccum, Nancy Nickerson, Roger & Dotty Nordman, Margaret  O’Conner, Robert & Pat Peterson, Dennis & Julie Reidel, Edward Schick, Patrick & Regina Scott, Robert & Karen Shirk, Betty Soukup, Bob & Dodie Tanner, Mark & Rebecca Westberg, Laura Zipse

Stephen & Shelby Benitz, Pat & Kathy Carney, Joanne Cutler, Paula & James Dummett, Tom & Toni Ebeling, Ann Grochala, Linda Henningsen, Dennis & Julie Reidel, Kathie & Gene Vix

Blake & Nancy Barnes, Barbara Beyer, Troyce Fisher & Deb Groath, Alice Hanley, Linda Henningsen, Diane & Lynn Ostendorf, Andy & Emily Schmitt, Dan & Patty Skokan, Robert Snyder, Steve & Vicki Sukup

Joan Middleton, David & Vickie Snyder, Sukup Manufacturing, Maria & Dave Volante

Clear Lake Bank & Trust, Clear Lake Telephone Company, Barry Cory, Jane & Eric Fogg, Kathryn & Randy Ingram, Steve & Marilyn Johnson, Steve & Cathy Lacy, Tom & Jan Lovell, Susan & David Nagle, James & Cynthia Niemants, Pritchard’s of North Iowa, Mandi Pralle & Chris Rachut, Jim & Deb Stanton, Charles Walker, Chris White, Elizabeth & Richard Winga

Names and levels were last updated November 2022.