The team approached the City of Mason City Council to share with them the benefits of an arts council in the community. After much negotiation, council agreed to show its’ support with seed money to get the organization operational.

From 2006 – 2010, this grassroots organization built programming, relationships and collaborations from inside coffee houses and around board member’s kitchen tables. The Mason Arts Festival was the signature event of the organization, giving local and regional artists the opportunity to showcase their work to the community.

In 2010, everything changed. A unique relationship established with neighboring Deerfield Township. The Township, recognized the value of the arts in this growing community and truly gave this organization the opportunity to grow and prosper.  The Township offered the organization a permanent place at the Snyder House at Cottell Park. This beautiful home soon became an arts destination where The Arts Alliance could hold workshops, lectures , and classes. The Township also renovated the former grounds keeper’s home, now called The Arts Bungalow, where The Arts Alliance could grow their summer art camps.

Deerfield Township’s generosity transformed the future of the organization. Through partnership and collaboration, The Arts Alliance grew significantly in its programming efforts, including welcoming the world class Cincinnati Pops Orchestra to Cottell Park.

In keeping with the organization’s future ambitions, the board of directors voted to change the name of the organization to The Arts Alliance in 2013.

The Arts Alliance also decided to move their signature event and rename the event to the FallFair Arts Festival, now held at Cottell Park. Thousands of guests enjoy this fun, family event, held on the third weekend of September each year.

Growth and change are the cornerstone of The Arts Alliance. In 2019, the organization shifts gears again with a new program called the Deerfield Handmade Markets. These unique events will welcome not only fine artists, but creatives and makers to share their talents with the community. The future is looking bright!

The Arts Alliance is built on partnerships and collaborations. Their efforts are supported through membership, grants, donation and corporate arts partnerships.

The organization is also built on the generosity of their volunteers.

Meredith Raffel, Founder & Executive Director

Lindsay Zirkle – Board Treasurer
Credit Analyst, Wright Patt Credit Union

Denny Means – Board Member
Independent Artist

Executive Advisory Council

Larry Hollingshead      
Management Consultant

Shelley Tobin Smith – Advisory Council/Past Board President
President, Tobin Insurance Agency

Carolyn McGowan – Advisory Council/Past Board Member

The Arts Alliance is truly a grassroots organization. For many years, we met in coffee shops and meeting rooms to get our work done! In 2010, we forged a unique and wonderful relationship with Deerfield Township. The trustees and administration generously offered The Arts Alliance a space at the Snyder House, at Cottell Park. It was there that we were able to start to build significant programming, including the expansion of the FallFair Arts Festival, summer performing, arts concerts and our summer arts camps.

We are forever grateful to Deerfield Township for their generosity. They serve as a shining example as to how a local municipality and a arts organization can build a meaningful partnership.

www.choosedeerfield.com