Our Mission
"The Chippewa Valley Cultural Association is
a cultural organization providing opportunities
to develop and share creative talents, and to
explore the arts throughout the Chippewa Valley."
The Chippewa Valley Cultural Association (CVCA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization who owns and operates the "Heyde Center for the Arts" located in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The facility is a 30,000 sq. ft. structure consisting of three levels, the third level having a multi-functional auditorium with seating capacity of 330 people. The building, constructed in 1907, is a Neo-Classical Architectural Design and is listed on both the National and State Register of Historic Places. After being in an abandoned state over many years, the structure has undergone a complete restoration and was reopened and rededicated in 2000. Sitting on a hilltop overlooking the city of Chippewa Falls, and within view of the grand Chippewa River, the Heyde Center for the Arts is entering the new millenium with a new use as a cultural arts facility serving the people of the Chippewa Valley in West-Central Wisconsin. Our facility has already hosted a large number of performances and art exhibits in addition to providing facilities for classes, social gatherings and meetings. We welcome you to our website and look forward to keeping you informed of our activities in this exciting new era for our organization.
History
In the 1970s, the Chippewa Valley Cultural Association (CVCA) dreamed of restoring the boarded-up old McDonnell School and converting it into an arts center. The dream languished for two decades as grant requests were repeatedly rejected, but a small group of committed citizens refused to give up. Determined to host a Spring Art Show in 1994 in the neoclassical building on the hill that would eventually be named the Heyde Center for the Arts, the CVCA issued a call to area residents, inviting them to reclaim the building. Floors were swept, pigeons sent flying, temporary electrical service established, pictures hung and people came to enjoy the art! Excitement for the project grew with donations of money and volunteer labor; eventually, more than $2 million was gathered from a community of 13,000 people.
In 2000, the building reopened as the Heyde Center for the Arts. It's a place where local musicians make music, community thespians create drama and visual artists fill the galleries with color, texture and shape. More than 100,000 people a year take part in seasonal art shows and workshops, poetry readings, dance recitals, concerts and theater performances. A 17-member CVCA volunteer board manages the facility and the association boasts more than 350 members. The CVCA maintains a database of 140 actors, 160 musicians and more than 300 visual artists from west-central Wisconsin residents. In addition, it collaborates with nearly a dozen local and state agencies and organizations to provide staffing and arts opportunities for youth and adults needing special services. Some of the key collaborating organizations are found below.
Cooperative fund raising has been done with the American Red Cross, the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion, and the Museum of Industry. The CVCA has an excellent working relationship with the Chippewa Historical Society and the local governments in the three-county area. The CVCA is a member of the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Program of Chippewa Falls, and the Western Wisconsin Arts Alliance. The Heyde Center for the Arts has hosted the performances and fund raisers of many non-profit or civic groups most free or greatly reduced costs. Area schools use the auditorium for special school programs and functions. In addition, there have been hundreds of large and small donors to the Association – including many of the local businesses and philanthropic organizations such as the Mason Shoe Company, the Mason Trust, Northwestern Bank, Ameriprise Financial, Kell Container, the Heyde Companies, Gordy’s Supermarket, and the Casper Foundation. The area media organizations have given the Association a significant amount of support – Chippewa Herald, Volume One, Community Television Channel 11, Maverick Media, and Wisconsin Public Radio.
The creative industry is an important driver for community development, yet it must be recognized that the industry as a whole needs constant financial support. Richard Hansen, Chief Executive Officer of the Johnson Financial Group (winner of the 2005 Governor’s Award for Supporter of the Arts), said that “Art is the glue that holds people together. It gives us a common bond. It makes our business better.”