Quad City Arts History

Quad City Arts Council was founded in 1970 in Illinois as an arts advocacy organization that operated a visual arts gallery and regranting program and featured local performing artists. Visiting Artists, Inc., born from the Council's residency program, was chartered in Iowa in 1974 and presented multi-disciplinary performing arts residencies in schools, factories, and community centers. In 1985 Festival of Trees was created as a fundraiser for Visiting Artists, Inc. In 1988, these entities along with the Bix Arts Festival recognized their common interests and merged to form Quad City Arts. The four groups are still represented in the agency's four-sided logo and their roles remain evident today.

Acting on an urban renewal opportunity in 1990, Quad City Arts began the renovation of a department store for its offices and gallery space that became the cornerstone project in the revitalization of Rock Island's downtown, The Arts & Entertainment District.