A Campaign for the
Waupaca Arts Hub
Welcome
Since the Arts Hub began in 2021, our mission has been to provide a space where creativity grows and all individuals can discover, nurture, and grow their artistic talents, regardless of their ability to pay. We have over 300+ weekly people walking through our doors to taking lessons and classes in music, art, STEAM, improv, cooking, and more.
Launched in January 2025, the Room to Grow Campaign was created to purchase, renovate and equip the Arts Hub's permanent home at 515 School Street. Today, what was once a school building has been transformed into a vibrant creative center where children, adults and families can learn, create, explore and connect.
Thank you, Waupaca and the surrounding community! What started as a dream has become a reality, and we could not have done it without you. We are thrilled to share that the Room to Grow Campaign has raised an incredible $1.6 million! Our original goal was $1.5 million, and because of the extraordinary generosity of our community, we exceeded that goal!
The Arts Hub Helps People Flourish
We are all creative. We all desire to express ourselves in ways that give flight to our creative spirit. Some do it with music, some with pencils or paint, some with clay, some by building things in the physical or digital world. When we learn and practice creative talents, it benefits us in ways that are deeply-personal and far-reaching. Consider:
Personal Growth: Engaging in the arts fosters self-confidence, critical thinking, and creativity. For young people, arts education is linked to improved academic performance.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Programming: Engaging participants in these areas develops transferable skills for a new economy.
Community Connection: The Arts Hub is a gathering space that bridges divides, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests.
We are also social. Even the most introverted among us yearns to belong and to feel a part of a community.
Visit The Arts Hub and you will discover that it is a place where art and community meet. It is a place where people find belonging, connect across generations and social strata, and form friendships. The Arts Hub helps people thrive because while each person is expressing their individual selves creatively, they’re also connecting with others.
The Arts Hub Helps Communities Thrive
The economic impact of the arts on communities is well-documented. Particularly in Waupaca we have seen how our reputation as an arts community has made Waupaca more attractive for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Jobs: We’ve seen how the arts have contributed directly to our economy by creating jobs for artists and performers, as well as those working in related industries like event planning, construction, restaurants, and hospitality.
Tourism: Our many arts and cultural events attract visitors who spend on accommodations, dining, transportation, and retail, significantly boosting local revenue.
Vibe and Vibrancy: The arts have enhanced Waupaca's appeal by fostering a vibrant, creative atmosphere that attracts young professionals, entrepreneurs, and families looking for a high quality of life. Our robust arts scene has been a factor in the revitalization and success of business “from the chain to main”, increasing property values and encouraging investment in a dynamic cultural ecosystem.
The Arts Hub for ALL
We live in an economically diverse community that features thriving businesses and expensive lake homes as well as 50% of students whose families qualify for free and reduced price lunches in our schools. Thankfully, we also live in a generous community, and because of that The Arts Hub has been able to fulfill its promise to provide access to programming regardless of a person’s ability to pay.
To make music instruction and art classes accessible, we offer:
Tuition Assistance: Up to a 50% reduction. In 2024, 48 students were able to access programs, thanks to contributions of $8,931.50 from our community.
Outreach Programs: We collaborate with partners to bring programming to people in the community. In 2024, 1,337 participants were reached through free outreach programs for children and adults, sparking creativity and promoting community.
Your Generosity Created More Than a Building
You helped create a community resource, a place where creativity is encouraged, people of all ages can learn, and artists, musicians, makers and teachers can share their talents.
You helped create a place where families can make memories, where people can meet and connect, and where everyone can feel welcome. Most importantly, you helped create a place that can continue to grow and evolve with our community for generations to come.
That is what the Room to Grow Campaign is really about.
It is about investing in people.
It is about investing in creativity.
It is about investing in the future of Waupaca.
This Is Your Arts Hub
Every class taught.
Every song played.
Every work of art created.
Every idea imagined.
Every new skill learned.
Every friendship made.
You helped make it possible.
We are deeply grateful to the entire community for believing that the arts matter and that Waupaca deserves a place where creativity can flourish. One incredible community. Countless acts of generosity. One shared vision.
And Now, the Story Continues
The Room to Grow Campaign may be reaching its conclusion, but the Arts Hub's story is just beginning.
Now our focus turns toward filling this incredible space with creativity, learning, connection and opportunity.
We hope you will continue to be part of the Arts Hub, take a class or lesson, visit the building, bring a friend, become an Arts Hub Ambassador, volunteer, or simply follow along as the Hub continues to grow.
As additional funds become available, the Arts Hub will establish a contingency fund to help prepare for the unexpected costs that come with owning a building. This fund will provide financial support for major repairs and future needs, such as HVAC replacements, roof repairs, and other significant building projects, helping ensure the Arts Hub remains a strong and sustainable community resource for years to come.
To avoid card processing fees, donations may also be made via cash or check.
Mail donations to P.O. Box 88, Waupaca, WI 54981.
From the Bottom of Our Hearts…
We are humbled by what this community has accomplished together. The Room to Grow Campaign is more than a fundraising success. It is a powerful demonstration of what can happen when a community believes in a shared vision.
You believed in the Arts Hub. You invested in creativity. You helped create a permanent home. And you gave future generations a place to learn, create, play, connect and grow.
Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for investing in our community. Thank you for giving the Arts Hub room to grow.
“After retiring from a 30-year career at Target, I discovered how the arts unlock creative problem-solving—not just for personal growth, but as a powerful tool for innovation in the workplace and a crucial skill for thriving in a technology-driven future.”
Testimonials
“The Woodpile Foundation recognized early on that the Arts Hub needed a new home, and we committed to supporting this vision even before a location was chosen—driven by the incredible dedication of the WCAB Board and the Arts Hub Co-Founders, and inspired by the limitless possibilities for STEAM education and community impact.”