Windhover Center for the Arts, formerly known as The Arts Center of Fond du Lac, held its Grand Opening on September 9, 2000 after completing a $2.2 million renovation.

It all got started in 1994, when a group of community leaders concluded that Fond du Lac needed an organization to support, stimulate and advocate for the arts. With the establishment of the Arts Council, Fond du Lac joined the more than forty other Wisconsin cities that have initiated and supported active community arts agencies.

In 1995 the Arts Council bought the former Masonic Temple at the northwest corner of Sheboygan and Marr Streets, a 90-year-old building, to use as a community arts center.

In 1996 the first full-time staff person was hired, and the Fond du Lac Arts Council began programming in earnest. A 120-member Children's Chorale has been formed, children's workshops in the areas of visual arts, music, drama and dance have been held, and several youth art exhibits have been displayed at Windhover annually. The Center offers a hands-on emphasis in an increasingly "online" world.

In addition to children's activities, programs include a variety of adult classes, student and professional art exhibits and theatrical presentations. Three established annual concert series featuring jazz, chamber and folk/acoustic (FAMA) performances have struck a chord with local audiences.

The literary group Café au Lit holds monthly readings, publishes a monthly newsletter and features several major events at Windhover each year, including Shakespeare in the Street, the Mystery Dinner, Wisconsin Writes and Christmas at the Lodge.

Windhover Center for the Arts is home to the area's only public art gallery, and has a variety of exhibits scheduled throughout the year.

ARCHITECTURAL JEWEL

Built in 1906, the building needed an updating of its infrastructure to current codes and safety standards. The renovation, totaling $2.2 million, was planned around maintaining and enhancing the distinctive character of the building. Needed improvements were to be unobtrusively integrated into the existing structure. This commitment to a sensitive restoration ensured the preservation of a singular downtown landmark.

Arts Center Renamed Windhover Center for the Arts

The $500,000 donation by Harry and Betty Quadracci, through Quad/Graphics charitable branch, the Windhover Foundation was the largest single donation to the Fond du Lac Arts Council's Capital Campaign. The donation put the project over the top, and also gave the Quadracci's naming rights to the Arts Center. The Windhover, written by English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins in the late 1800's, is a favorite poem of Harry Quadracci. It became the name of his company's charitable foundation, and in the year 2000, the new name for the Arts Center of Fond du Lac.